Hi
I need some brickwork re-pointing on my Victorian terrace.
If you fancy the work or can recommend anyone for the job I'd be most grateful.
Ta!
What makes you say it needs repointing ? Is penetrating raining coming in on that wall ? Or do you think it should be done for aesthetic reasons ? Older solid wall buildings are built using lime mortar which is a sacrificial product and is weaker than the surrounding mortar. This is because solid walls are meant to breathe and let moisture out. If you get a cheap cowboy in to do the pointing he will probably use cement rather than lime. This will then cause problems with your house, since the use of cement will trap in moisture leading to not only damp problems inside but also to spalling bricks on the outside.
Don't take my word for it. Read around and you will see how the use of cement has been banned on older building by both English Heritage and Conservation Scotland. Why is this ? Because cement is very deleterious to the fabric of an older building.
Its amazing how many older houses you see with mould on the walls and other issues caused by morons who do not understand the construction and have used cement for pointing and then compounded such bodges by bricking up fire places and replacing sash windows with UPVC. Older buildings require ventilation the chimney used to be able to suck out a large volume of air from the building and the sash windows would ensure the air volume of the house was replaced.
Be sympathetic to the building at it will thank you.
All pointing should be softer than the masonry if it is harder moisture will leave the building via the masonry rather than the pointing. After a few freeze thaw cycles over winter you will have spalling bricks which are soft and friable.
If you have e an older building I would question anyone who talks about pointing and plastering and ascertain if they would use appropriate materials which means lime. If they talk about gypsum or cement show them the door they will ruin you house.