Brick Pointing London

Maintaining your pointing in top condition is important not just for preserving your property’s visual appeal, but also for its structural stability. Located in Burnham-on-Crouch, Gladstone Tuck Pointing & Restoration is at your service across London and the South East region.

building’s Brick Repair
building’s Brick Repair

Methods of brick pointing London

 

Pointing styles are the ways in which mortar is shaped and finished in the joints. These methods can enhance the look of a building, improve weather resistance, and affect maintenance needs. The choice often depends on the building’s design, location, and exposure to weather.

Common Methods and Their Characteristics

Here are the most recognized methods of brick pointing London, each with a brief description:

– Flush Pointing: The mortar is filled to be level with the brick faces, creating a smooth, even surface. It’s simple and clean but may not resist water as well due to its flat surface.

– Recessed Pointing: The mortar is set back from the brick faces, creating a shadow line. This is aesthetically pleasing but can allow water entry if not designed properly.

– Weather-Struck Pointing: The mortar slopes from the top brick to the bottom, helping to shed water. It’s effective for rainy areas but requires precise application.

– Keyed Pointing: The mortar joint has a semicircular groove, often made with a jointer tool. It can resist water and is decorative, though grooves may collect dirt.

– Beaded Pointing: The mortar joint features a small, rounded bead along the center, adding texture. It’s visually interesting but may be less durable.

– V-Joint Pointing: The mortar joint has a V-shaped groove, adding texture and sophistication. It can collect water and debris, requiring maintenance.

 

Cement V Lime

Replacing cement brick pointing with lime brick pointing offers significant advantages, particularly for older buildings, by improving moisture management, ensuring compatibility, providing flexibility, preserving aesthetics, and promoting sustainability. While there are trade-offs like slower setting and potentially higher initial costs, the long-term benefits, including reduced maintenance and preservation of historical integrity, make it a compelling choice.

building’s Brick Cleaning

Repointing

Repointing is usually required only for those sections of a building that are more vulnerable to external elements, such as lower levels impacted by rising damp, or specific areas subject to issues like rainwater leaks. Consequently, it’s advisable to leave any well-performing existing mortar untouched. For instance, lime mortar that shows only minor surface loss is likely still effective. If you find it difficult to remove, it probably doesn’t need replacement. While it might feel somewhat soft to the touch, this could still be within acceptable limits.

Masonry Decay

When obvious signs of masonry decay are present, it’s crucial to accurately diagnose the underlying issue to choose the appropriate corrective measures. Pointing may not be the root cause of the problem, so it’s important to assess the overall condition of the structure. Factors such as the degree of exposure to external elements and any other defects that could be contributing to the pointing’s decline should be addressed before undertaking any repointing work.