After years of exposure to elements, the pointing mortar suffers wear and tear and must be replaced in order for the building to look decent. The first step in repointing is a mortar analysis, whereby samples of the mortar are investigated in order to determine the components, ratio and aggregate of the materials contained therein.

The next step involves the removal of the old mortar. The depth of the mortar that’s removed is determined by either the width of the joint or the extent required to reach the sound mortar. It is important that the old mortar is done carefully to avoid damage to mortar joints. Where you are dealing with buildings with soft materials, removal by hand is recommended.

In instances where poor repointing work has been done during exterior building restoration, there is likely to be a raise in the level of the mortar joint above the face of the masonry unit. This is not pleasant to the eye and will definitely not look good to a potential buyer if the aim of the repointing was to prepare your building for a re-sell.

Always use the same materials for the repointing as you did for the original mortar. If the exact materials are not found, opt for something that is within the same radius in terms of characteristics. The characteristics you should consider include permeability, compressive strength and coefficient of thermal expansion.

It is necessary to discuss your options with your restoration specialist so that you understand what options are available to you. Building repointing, when done well, can give your building a new lease of life and increase its value to unimaginable levels. You just need to hire the right people for the job, and Horizon Construction is a good way to go.