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What happens during a pointing job?

  • Feb 11
  • 3 min read

Updated: 6 days ago

What’s involved in replacing mortar in walls?


Replacing mortar is a five-step process:

1. Remove existing mortar that isn’t fit for purpose

2. Clean and restore bricks/stone

3. Put new mortar in place

4. Cover to cure

5. Three-week check


 

  1. Remove existing mortar that isn’t fit for purpose

Important to emphasise none of those pictures are of my work!

There are contractors who want to use just power tools to remove mortar and there are some homeowners who want hand tool removal of mortar.


Around 2.5cm/1” of existing mortar needs to be removed to enable new mortar to have sufficient surface to adhere to – and any deeper than 2.5cm/1” increases the risk of air pockets in the mortar. Air pockets can cause mortar have a shorter life-span.

 

Gladstone Pointing Limited uses a middle way – using fine power tools slowly, which leave several millimetres of mortar next to bricks and then removing mortar next to bricks by hand. This protects brick and stone from damage that fast grinding work can do but reduces cost compared to hand tool removal only.

 


  1. Clean and restore bricks/stone

Bricks/stone may have paint marks or the surface may have come off (spalling). Once the area is clear of old mortar, work to restore or clean brickwork happens.


Bricks/ stone can be simply turned around or may need to be replaced, depending on the damage to them. Stone can be repaired with a lime-based product that tones in with existing stone (picture at the bottom of the page in the link at the start of the sentence). This can also be done with small areas of brick, using traditional natural earth dyes to achieve a long-lasting colour match.

 


  1. Put new mortar in place

Again I want to emphasise the above pictures are not of my work. It’s important to avoid getting lime on bricks and stones because it can leave long term stains on a property. Gladstone pointing uses traditional narrow pointing tools to minimise this risk – and uses experience/skill.


Gladstone pointing also removes any small lime stains that can develop upto three weeks after pointing, using natural removal products: which are highly effective.

 

  1. Cover to cure

It is essential to cover new lime mortar for around three days. This should be done with hessian material – attached with clips to cover newly pointed areas. This material must be kept damp but not wet. This step of the process keeps the chemical reaction between the lime and the moisture in the air stable. This allows a strong surface cure, which protects the mortar while all of it cures.


The curing process for lime mortar to reach full strength takes up to 18 months. This initial protection for three days is essential to ensure new mortar does not wash away. This is also the reason why new mortar can’t be put in a wall during periods of prolonged heavy rain or in periods when the outside temperature is likely to drop below 5oC – both of which are likely to affect the curing process of lime mortar surface and make it weaker over time.

 

 

  1. Three-week check

As lime mortar is a natural product it can have some small irregularities in it that appear over the curing process. It’s important for contractors to review new lime mortar after around three weeks to finesse the final look and ensure that the mortar will maximise its strength.


Gladstone Pointing Limited seeks to minimise the risk of small irregularities by only using finely sifted sand.


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