Mortar between bricks is susceptible to damage from water. Over time, rain or rising damp can erode the mortar. Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry offers repointing expertise to keep your brick facade standing strong.
Bricks are a long-lasting material, but the external-facing mortar between the bricks can be worn down over time. One of the mortar’s biggest foes is water.
Water combined with time is a forceful element. Given centuries, the water of the Colorado River cut a path through rock to form the Grand Canyon. Likewise, rainwater can cut its path through your home’s brickwork.
When rain beats against your brickwork or when raindrops hit the ground or another part of your home and splashes back, the water soaks into your mortar.
Equally, if your home is situated in a damp or soggy area, moisture from the ground can seep up from below.
No matter how moisture gets to your mortar initially, it causes the same damage when it’s there. Mortar is created with a mixture of sand and cement. Excess moisture causes the mortar joints to crack.
Eventually, the cracked mortar may start falling away from your home, which could eventually jeopardize the stability of your house.
In addition the same water that damaged your mortar can find its way into your house, causing mold and mildew issues, which can lead to health concerns.
The solution is brick repointing. But what does that mean?
What is brick repointing?
Brick repointing is the process of removing damaged mortar joints and replacing the mortar.
The process
- Old brick mortar is removed to a depth of equal to or slightly more than the width of the joint.
- Depending upon the depth of the joint, one or two passes will be made with the new mortar. (The new mortar is made up to match the existing color of your mortar.)
- The new mortar takes about a day to set up and cure. We take care to ensure the joint profile is rectangular as the new mortar used needs ample chance to bond with the existing masonry.
Brick repointing is a skilled technique and not something a home do-it-yourselfer should attempt.
At Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry, our expert masons have the knowledge and know-how to professionally repoint your brickwork.
Call Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry today for more details.