There are numerous reasons for the building owner to commission the restoration of an existing building. However, the fundamental reason concerns the obsolescence factor.

In the UK and to a large extent Europe the main construction materials for the built environment of the previous two centuries have tended to be brick, stone and flint all of which benefit from longevity. Combined with continued re-use of buildings, there is today a substantial percentage of aging building stock that suffers from varying degrees of external and internal obsolescence.

The deterioration in the pointing element of the construction will eventually lead to the poor performance of the building as a whole. With the lower life cycle of the mortar element in relation to the other materials used in construction, its periodic replacement is vital to secure the general longevity of the building. The failure of the mortar will result in water and frost damage. If this is the case, the eventual structural damage will result in costly reconstruction.

Repointing will aid with:

In the majority of cases, the costs of works associated with the restoration of a building are relatively insignificant in relation to the benefits that can be achieved. In particular, the increase in value of the property and the subsequent re-sale factors, but also the enhanced image of the property and the reduction in risk of potential costly structural defects.

Unfortunately, there is a significant risk to undertaking a restoration of this type. With the visual impact of external works to a building and the inherent perception of its maintenance, care must be taken to ensure the company undertaking the works possess the necessary skills and experience. Today there are too many examples of poor workmanship.

Originally carried out in the early 1900's, tuck pointing consists of a flush mortar joint with a protruding white pinstripe line running through each joint. It leaves a neat clean finish and is normally applied to the facade only.

Pointing is the act or process of repairing or finishing joints in brickwork, masonry etc with mortar.

Old mortar from the walls is chiseled out and the joints are prepared so they are clean and free of dirt and, especially, oil or grease. Mortar is applied to the bricks with a trowel, and forced into the joint. The mortar is then sponged over to smooth the finish. A sealer is then applied with colouring to lift the colour in the bricks. The walls are then marked with chalk to identify where the tuck pointing will be applied. Masking tape is applied to the walls and white mortar is then applied with a trowel over the masking tape. While the mortar is wet, the tape is removed to leave a perfect thin stripe 2-3mm wide.

Tuck pointing is employed in the conservation and restoration of existing brickwork.

Using traditional methods with a tuck iron, the process is slow but produces excellent results to complement and enhance buildings of a bygone age.

Existing, old mortar is raked out and filled with replacement mortar made up to match the existing brickwork. It is then finished off with lime pointing which sets together with the new mortar giving the illusion of gauged brickwork.

Mortar Pointing and Re-Pointing

Mortar Pointing and Re-Pointing is carried out when the existing mortar joints break down and start to crumble, causing holes in the brickwork which can lead to structural damage and cracking.

The joints usually break down due to weak lime mortar or from exposure to extreme temperatures. The re-pointing process involves removing the remaining joints to a depth of 30mm and injecting a new mortar into the brick joints which are finished to match the existing joints.

Limestone Re-Pointing

This is necessary when the existing joints break down which can affect the structural integrity of the building.