When brick walls start to show their age, it’s often the mortar joints, not the bricks themselves, that first reveal signs of deterioration. This process, known as brickwork repointing, involves removing and replacing the damaged mortar between bricks. It’s an essential task for maintaining the integrity of your property and preventing water ingress, structural damage, and costly repairs down the line.
At Cornerstone Brickwork, we understand that brickwork restoration is not just about improving appearance; Brickwork repointing is a crucial part of preserving a building’s structure and value. With decades of combined experience and a deep understanding of traditional and modern brickwork pointing styles, our team handles everything from conservation repointing to full-scale property restorations across Essex and the surrounding counties.
But how do you know when your home actually needs brickwork repointing? Let’s explore five clear signs to look out for, and how to avoid the most common DIY pitfalls if you plan to attempt it yourself.
Sign – 1: Crumbling or Missing Mortar
The most obvious indicator that your property requires brickwork repointing is when the mortar begins to crumble or fall out altogether. If you can pull mortar loose with your fingers or notice gaps forming between bricks, it’s time to act.
Mortar is the glue that holds your bricks together. Once it starts to fail, water can easily enter the joints, leading to damp issues, frost damage, and eventually weakened structural integrity.
Sign – 2: Hairline Cracks in the Mortar
Tiny, spiderweb-like cracks may seem harmless at first, but they’re often a precursor to bigger problems. These cracks allow moisture to penetrate the wall, particularly during freeze-thaw cycles, where trapped water expands and causes further damage.
At Cornerstone Brickwork, our team is trained to spot early warning signs and can assess the depth and cause of mortar cracking. Early intervention can often save a wall from a more expensive full brickwork repointing project.
Sign – 3: Damp or Mould Patches Inside
Damp patches on interior walls, particularly those without obvious plumbing issues, may actually originate from deteriorated pointing outside. This is particularly common with older brick buildings that haven’t been repointed in decades.
In our years of working with heritage and domestic properties, we’ve seen how compromised pointing can lead to persistent damp problems. Effective brickwork pointing with the right materials, such as lime mortar for period properties, can restore breathability and halt moisture ingress.
Sign – 4: Brick Movement or Loose Bricks
If your bricks begin shifting or feel loose, the mortar has likely degraded beyond repair. Movement in the wall can compromise the building’s structure and should be dealt with immediately.
The Cornerstone Brickwork team always recommends a professional inspection at this stage. Depending on the severity, we can carry out targeted brickwork repointing or full wall reconstruction to restore safety and stability.
Sign – 5: Mortar Discolouration or Erosion
Weathering can cause mortar to erode unevenly or develop discolouration. While some colour change is normal over time, patches of distinctly different hues or recessed joints indicate decay.
Matching the original brickwork pointing types is essential for both appearance and structural performance. At Cornerstone, we specialise in seamlessly blending new mortar with existing work, using traditional techniques and breathable materials suitable for UK properties.
What is Pointing Brickwork?
Pointing brickwork is the technique of finishing the external part of mortar joints. Brickwork repointing ensures the durability of brick walls by sealing the joints from weather damage and improving aesthetics. Proper pointing reduces water ingress and improves insulation.
Brickwork pointing is also of differing styles such as flush, weather struck, bucket handle and recessed styles. The style adopted must be in accordance to the use as well as the age of the building.
Cornerstone Brickwork has the expertise and the skills to make period appropriate pointing to listed and historic buildings, where lime mortar and heritage skills are necessary. We adhere to Bs standards and act carefully to maintain architectural character.
DIY Brickwork Repointing: Common Mistakes to Avoid
Repointing seems like a simple job however very few homeowners realize how skilled individuals have to be to ensure a permanent result. The following are the usual traps to avoid:
1. Application of Incompatible Mortar
The ill-suited Mortar may retain moisture which speeds up the disintegration of the bricks. An example is a cement mortar that should not be applied on old buildings that were initially built using lime based mortar.
It is only materials that best fit a particular type of building that are used in cornerstone. This makes it breathable and compatible especially in heritage homes.
2. Repointing in the Bad Weather
Setting can be impaired by extreme cold or heat or damp weather. Most DIY positions do not turn out well because they are not timed well, so they have weak joints or cracks.
We timetable all pointing job in accordance with the optimum weather conditions and such protective measures may be employed to secure finish quality.
3. Bad Joint Preparation
The other typical error when making a DIY project is ineffective elimination of old mortar to the proper depth. To do it properly means that the existing mortar must be raked out to the extent of 1520mm (more again, depending on the age and condition of the building). This is necessary otherwise new mortar will not bond.
To ensure that the fresh mortar goes on with precision, we apply our tools at Cornerstone Brickwork to rake out the joints cleanly and with no breakage to bricks in place, an important procedure before spreading the fresh mortar.
Cost of Pointing Brickwork: What to Expect
The cost of pointing brickwork in the UK can vary depending on the size of the property, access requirements, type of mortar used, and whether the work is carried out on heritage or listed buildings.
On average:
- For a standard domestic property, prices can range from £20 to £40 per square metre.
- Full house repointing may start from £2,000 to £5,000+, depending on complexity and scaffolding needs.
- Lime mortar repointing or detailed heritage work may incur higher costs due to the specialist skills and materials required.
At Cornerstone Brickwork, we provide honest, detailed quotes with no hidden fees. Our team takes pride in carrying out precise, durable brickwork repointing work that lasts for decades.
Why Choose Cornerstone Brickwork?
As Essex-based specialists in all aspects of brickwork, we’ve built our reputation on quality craftsmanship, transparent service, and a deep respect for traditional building methods. From brickwork repointing and restorations to conservation pointing on listed properties, our team is fully trained, qualified, and trusted across the region.
We operate with a strong work ethic and meticulous attention to detail, from choosing the right brickwork pointing types to ensuring an authentic finish. Our projects are carried out with clear communication, respect for your property, and full compliance with building regulations and safety standards.
Final Thoughts
Knowing what is pointing at brickwork and recognising the signs of deterioration can help you avoid costly repairs and preserve your property’s character and strength. While it may be tempting to take on minor repointing jobs yourself, the risks of using the wrong tools, techniques, or materials are significant.
Trust the specialists at Cornerstone Brickwork to protect and enhance your brickwork with expert repointing services tailored to your building’s age, style, and structure.Need an expert opinion or a quote for repointing?
Get in touch with Cornerstone Brickwork today, where quality, safety, and craftsmanship come first.
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