Understanding Pointing Terminology for Period Properties in South Nottinghamshire and North West Leicestershire

Common Brickwork and Wall Problems

Spalling

Spalling is the flaking, cracking, or breaking away of a brick or stone surface. This issue allows water to penetrate the masonry, leading to damp problems inside your home. It usually occurs when moisture gets trapped in the brick or stone because the mortar used is too hard. Over time, spalling can worsen with age.

Solution: Affected bricks should be turned or replaced to restore the wall’s strength and prevent further damage.

Brickwork Variegation

Brickwork variegation refers to noticeable variation in colour, tone, or texture between bricks within the same wall. This uneven appearance can occur naturally or result from poor repairs, mismatched bricks, or areas where windows or doors have been bricked up.

Solution: If the inconsistency affects the look of your wall, you can replace the most visually different bricks or adjust the mortar joints to blend previously altered areas more effectively.

Damp Ingress

Damp ingress, also referred to as penetrating damp, occurs when water enters a property through an external wall. This type of damp specifically refers to moisture getting in through damaged mortar joints, cracks, or gaps in the brickwork. It can lead to internal damp patches, mould, and long-term structural problems.

Solution: Repoint the wall with the correct mortar for the bricks or stone. Repair or replace any damaged bricks to stop water penetration and protect the building.

Rising Damp

Rising damp is a term often used to describe a range of moisture problems. These can include condensation, penetrating damp, plumbing leaks, splashback from hard surfaces, or damp-course failure/bridging. True rising damp is less common. When a damp-proof course has failed, it must be assessed and repaired by a specialist damp-proofing company. (I recommend contacting Damp Proofing Nottingham | Midland Preservation Ltd — I have no affiliation with the company.)*

Solution: If the dampness is caused by water splashing against the wall, condensation, or damp ingress through damaged mortar, then repointing the wall and repairing or replacing damaged bricks is often an important part of the solution.

Efflorescence, Also Known as Surface Salts

Efflorescence (or surface salts) appears as white, powdery patches on the outside of a wall. It is common and completely normal on newly built houses for the first six months as moisture evaporates from fresh materials. However, persistent efflorescence on older walls usually indicates that water is penetrating the brickwork or mortar.

Solution: Inspect the wall for damaged bricks or failing mortar joints. Repair or replace them to stop moisture from entering the wall.

Compressive Strength

Compressive strength refers to the amount of pressure a material can withstand before it begins to fail. In brickwork, it’s important that the bricks have a slightly higher compressive strength than the mortar. This ensures that moisture is absorbed and released through the mortar — not through the bricks — helping to prevent damp problems, spalling, and long-term damage to the masonry.

When the mortar is harder than the bricks or stone, the masonry can fail before the joints do. This often leads to spalling, where the faces of bricks or stone break away, exposing the wall to further moisture and damage. This problem is common when cement-based mortar is used on older homes built with softer, less dense bricks or stone.

Over time, this mismatch spoils the appearance of the wall and shortens the lifespan of the masonry.

Solution: Use lime mortar, which is softer and breathable. Repair or replace any damaged bricks or stone to restore the wall and prevent future deterioration.

Additional Resources for Period Property Owners

If you want to learn more about maintaining the integrity of your period property, check out our other posts:

• Why is lime a green choice?

• Gladstone Pointing Limited's carbon footprint

• Lime mortar vs cement

• History of lime mortar

• How much does lime pointing cost?

• Does my whole wall need repointing?

• What colour mortar can I have?

• What is lime pointing?

• What happens during a pointing job?

• How do walls get damaged?

  
  

By understanding these terms and solutions, we can better care for our period properties. Let’s ensure their longevity and historical integrity together!