If you own a Victorian home or older property, you’ve probably heard about repointing. But what exactly is it, and how do you know when your brickwork needs this essential maintenance? Don’t worry – we’ll explain everything in simple terms so you can spot the warning signs early.
What Is Pointing and Repointing?
Pointing is the mortar that sits between your bricks in mortar joints. It’s what holds your brick walls together and keeps water out of your home. Think of it like the glue that keeps your wall strong and weatherproof.
Repointing means removing old, damaged mortar from these mortar joints and replacing it with fresh material. This essential maintenance work protects your building from weather damage and keeps it structurally sound for decades to come.
In older homes, especially Victorian properties, the original mortar was often lime-based mortars or lime mortar. These softer mortars were perfect for buildings of that era, but they naturally wear away over time, typically needing attention every 50 years or so.
Clear Signs Your Pointing Needs Attention
Here are the main warning signs to look out for when checking your property:
1. Crumbling or Powdery Mortar in Mortar Joints
Walk around your semi-detached house or property and look closely at the mortar joints between your bricks. If you can easily scratch the mortar away with your finger, or if it’s turning to powder, it’s time for brick repointing. Healthy mortar should be solid and difficult to damage.
Pay special attention to both horizontal and vertical joints. The mortar beds (horizontal joints) often show damage first because they bear more weight and catch more rainwater.
2. Gaps and Holes in the Mortar
If you can see daylight through gaps in your pointing, or if there are obvious holes where mortar used to be, you need urgent repointing work. These gaps let water into your walls, which can cause serious damage over time. Water can even affect your damp proof course if the problem spreads.
3. White Staining on Bricks
White, chalky marks on your bricks (called efflorescence) often mean water is getting through damaged pointing. The Mason Contractors Association of America explains that this happens when water carries salts through the masonry, leaving white deposits when the mortar dries.
4. Loose or Missing Mortar
If pieces of mortar are falling out when you touch them, or if you can see obvious missing sections, this is a clear sign that repointing a wall is needed. Don’t wait – the problem will only get worse with each freeze-thaw cycle.
5. Damp Patches Inside Your Home
If you’re seeing damp spots on internal walls, especially after rain, failing pointing could be the cause. Water getting through damaged mortar joints can travel into your home and cause expensive damage to internal walls and decorations.
6. Plants Growing in the Mortar
Weeds, moss, or small plants growing from your mortar joints show that water is collecting there. Plant roots can make the damage worse by expanding the cracks and pushing more mortar out.
Different Types of Mortar in Older Homes
Understanding your mortar type helps explain why some buildings need more frequent attention. Older homes were typically built with lime-based mortars, which are softer and more flexible than modern cement mortar.
Lime mortar was perfect for historic buildings because it moves with the building and allows moisture to escape naturally. However, it does wear away faster than harder modern mortars.
If your property has flemish bond brickwork (where bricks alternate between showing their long and short faces), you’ll see more mortar joints per square metre, which means more potential points where problems can develop.
Why Quick Action Matters
Ignoring damaged pointing can lead to much bigger problems and a higher cost of repointing later:
- Water damage to internal walls and damp proof course
- Structural problems with your brickwork
- Higher heating bills due to poor insulation
- Much more expensive repairs when you finally address the issues
The key is maintaining high standards of maintenance. Victorian properties and older homes need special care because they were built with different materials than modern buildings.
What Professional Repointing Involves
Professional repointing work involves several careful steps:
- Removing old mortar – This might be done with a hammer and chisel for small areas, or a diamond blade grinder for larger sections
- Cleaning the joints – All loose material must be removed
- Mixing new mortar – Professionals will match the existing mortar type and colour
- Applying new mortar – Fresh mortar is carefully pressed into the cleaned mortar joints
- Finishing – The mortar is shaped and finished to match surrounding work
For older homes, it’s crucial to use compatible materials. Modern cement mortar can be too hard for historic brick walls and can actually cause damage. That’s why specialists use lime-based mortars that match the original construction.
When to Call the Professionals
While you can spot the warning signs yourself, repointing a wall requires skill and the right materials. Poor repointing work can look obvious and even damage your brickwork.
At G.P Brickwork, we specialise in working with Victorian properties and older homes across London and Essex. Our brick repointing service maintains high standards throughout every project, ensuring we use the right materials and techniques for your building’s age and style.
We understand that every semi-detached house and period property is different. That’s why we always match the existing mortar colour and type, whether your building needs lime mortar or other traditional materials.
The Cost of Waiting
Many homeowners worry about the cost of repointing, but delaying the work always costs more in the long run. Small sections of damaged mortar joints can be repaired relatively cheaply. However, when water damage spreads through brick walls and affects the damp proof course, repairs become much more expensive.
Think of repointing as essential maintenance, like servicing your car. Regular attention keeps everything running smoothly and prevents major breakdowns.
Getting Professional Assessment
If you’ve spotted any warning signs in your mortar joints, it’s worth getting professional advice. Our experienced team can assess your brickwork and explain exactly what repointing work is needed.
We’ll also advise on the right type of mortar for your property, whether that’s traditional lime-based mortars for historic buildings or other materials that will match the existing work perfectly.
Remember, quality brick repointing should last decades when done to high standards with the right materials.
The Bottom Line
Checking your pointing doesn’t require special skills – just a careful walk around your property and a close look at your mortar joints. Whether you live in a semi-detached house or a grand Victorian terrace, the warning signs are the same.
Your older homes are built to last, but they need proper maintenance to keep them in good condition. Taking care of your repointing is one of the most important things you can do to protect your investment.
Don’t let small problems with mortar joints become major structural issues. Professional brick repointing keeps your brick walls strong, dry, and weatherproof for years to come.