Can you render instead of repointing?

Rendering will give you a more waterproof solution but not always the best. If it has been converted properly it will be a double skin wall and insulated in which case repointing will as good a remedy. Personally i would always rather retain the natural brickwork unless beyond pointing due to spalling of the bricks.

Do you need to repoint before rendering?

Hi, Don't worry about repointing before, who ever is rendering for you should fill any imperfections will the first coat.

What is the difference between rendering and repointing?

These days, It is not uncommon to see coloured render and you can also have acrylic render which is good for increasing water resistance. Re-pointing, on the other hand, is the replacement of the mortar between stones and brickwork (or joints) which may have become damaged mainly through weathering.

Is repointing brick necessary?

Repointing is required throughout the life of any masonry structure, although it's not always the right answer. Repointing is the process of repairing the grout or joints between bricks when they become cracked or crumbly.

What happens if you dont repoint brick?

The mortar holding the bricks or stone deteriorates. Cracks then form, allowing water to enter. If neglected, the freeze and thaw cycle will cause the bricks or stone to fall out and hit you on the head.

Repointing Old Brickwork - Best Mix

Can you repoint over old mortar?

Can You Mortar Over Old Mortar? If your brick is 50 years old or less, you can probably repoint it safely with modern, portland cement–based mortar (although the guy doing the next repointing, who'll have to grind it out, may curse your decision).

Will repointing stop damp?

You can do this yourself, or have a professional complete the work for you if it looks like it might take too much time. Repointing is one of the crucial steps in removing penetrating damp from your property.

How much does it cost to repoint brick?

It costs between $3 and $15 per square foot to repoint brick, though the average homeowner pays $8 per square foot. Costs can rise to $15 per square foot or more depending on the materials used, local rates, and the mason's experience.

How often should you repoint brick?

A good repointing job is meant to last, often in the range of 50-100 years. Shortcuts and poor craftsmanship not only result in a job that looks bad, but also in one that will require future repointing more frequently than if the job had been done correctly in the first place.

Does my house need repointing?

The tell tale signs that your property needs repointing: Cracks in the mortar that are clearly visible. Gaps between the mortar and masonry. Loose structures (like the brickwork above)

Can I repoint my house?

Repointing brickwork involves carefully repacking the mortar sitting between the individual bricks, or stone blocks, that make up the exterior skin of your home. Although many renovators carry our DIY repointing, given the requirement for working at heights it can be a job that is best outsourced to a professional.

Do you have to use plasticiser in mortar?

Some people think plasticiser makes it much easier to work with the mortar, while some of them think it doesn't make any difference at all and it's just an optional thing in a mortar. Plasticiser isn't necessary to make mortar but it helps to create a smoother and creamier mixture without adding too much water.

Does rendering stop damp?

Like the external wall insulation mentioned above, rendering isn't cheap – but the render will form a protective waterproof barrier on the external walls, repelling water and preventing water ingress in future. It can also really smarten up your property.

Can you render over damaged bricks?

So if my bricks are REALLY bad, can they be rendered? Yes they can have a coat of render over the top, although bear in mind once this is done it is almost impossible to change your mind in later years and go back to brick.

Is it a good idea to render a brick house?

Rendered brick extends your wall's lifespan by ten or even twenty years. It stops dampness and moisture from seeping into and damaging your walls, adding a layer of insulation. This keeps your house dry and warm, even in cold or rainy weather.

How long does repointing last?

However, it's well worth spending a bit of money. The pointing should last 50-100 years, so you probably won't need to do it again in your lifetime! You could end up with far more expensive repair works if water gets in through cracks in your walls, causing damp.

How long does it take to repoint a house?

On average, it takes one to two days to point/repoint a wall, one to five days to perform this work on a chimney, five to seven days if the work is taking place on the side of a house, 12-16 days to point/repoint a semi-detached house, or 15-20 days to point/repoint a terraced house.

Why is my pointing crumbling?

Crumbling or failing mortar can be caused by a number of reasons: Failing mortar can usually be attributed to a lack of carbonation of the lime within the mortar meaning that the mortar will have little if any, strength.

When should you repoint a wall?

When is repointing necessary? Repointing is premature until mortar has weathered back to a depth equivalent to the joint width or is very loose. The lime mortar used widely for pointing on older (pre-c1919) buildings is more permeable than the brick or stone, concentrating frost and salt action in the joints.

Can water get through pointing?

Penetrating damp is caused by the ingress of water from the outside of a building to the inside. There are many causes of penetrating damp, and one that we encounter regularly is decayed or poorly installed pointing. Poor pointing is one of the easiest causes of penetrating damp to fix, but only if it's caught early.

What depth should repointing be?

As a general rule, the pointing to be repaired must be dug out to a minimum depth of about two-and-a-half times its thickness, in other words ¾ inch to one inch for regular 3/8-inch pointing. You need to dig at least ¾ inch deep for thinner pointing.

Why does my mortar keep cracking?

Cracking can result from a variety of problems: differential settlement of foundations, drying shrinkage, expansion and contraction due to ambient thermal and moisture variations, improper support over openings, the effects of freeze-thaw cycles, the corrosion of iron and steel wall reinforcement, differential movement ...

How do you remove old mortar before repointing?