DIY Supermarket

The mortar between brickwork can deteriorate over the years and need replacing. Re-filling these joints with mortar is known as re-pointing. Small areas of pointing on exterior walls can be taken on as a DIY project. It can sometimes be tricky achieving an accurate mortar colour-match on larger expanses, and so bigger projects are sometimes better left to the professionals.

That said, a small area of re-pointing on an exterior garden wall, for example, is a pretty straightforward exercise.

Check the weather before you start pointing, if it is raining put it off until another day. Rain and pointing do not mix.

Start by raking out the mortar between the bricks using a mortar rake. A depth of approximately 15cms should be enough. Use a cold chisel to chip out any stubborn bits. Remember to wear protective goggles and a mask to guard from dust and flying pieces of mortar. Heavy-duty gloves are advisable to protect your hands.

Next, dampen the joints by spraying them with water. This helps the new mortar to bond with the old.

Read the instructions on the mortar packet and mix up accordingly. Do not allow the mix to get too sloppy as this risks staining the surrounding bricks and ruining the finish.

Once you are happy with your mortar mix, use a jointing tool to carefully work it into the gaps between the bricks, creating a smooth recess. Fill the ‘beds’ (vertical joints) first, then follow up with the ‘perks’, (horizontal joints).

Leave the mortar to harden for a while, then any excess should be scraped away. Before it is totally dry, using a soft brush gently sweep away any bits of loose mortar remaining, taking care not to dislodge any of the fresh mortar you have just applied in the joints.