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Re-pointing is well within the skill level of the average DIY’er and despite the patience and time needed to do it, it will reap great rewards a well re-pointed house will benefit from an increased property and resale value, enhanced image and increased long term conservation of the building. Over large expanses of masonry the choice of key could impact on the amount of mortar used and thus the final cost. There are many types of pointing finishes, for example flushed, weathered, hollow key and recessed key.
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Many people prefer the control and consistency a trowel gives them, despite the extra time it takes. The mixture needs to be a little wetter, but great care must be taken to ensure the mixture stays consistent and doesn’t separate out in the gun and that all voids are filled right to the back of the hole.
Average mortar worktime professional#
Professional contractors (and careful DIY enthusiasts) can make use of pointing guns which, if properly used can speed up the whole re-pointing process. When replacing mortar you will need a trowel, level, hawk to carry the mortar and some sand and cement. Don’t attempt to re-point if bad weather such as rain or frost is forecast. Re-pointing is a long, slow process so you won’t be able to do much before your mixture goes off. To save money, only mix a small amount of mortar at a time. You will also need a small dry brush to brush away any remaining dust and a watering spray or wet paint brush to damp down all the joints. It’s important to get a good surface to adhere the new mortar to, so any hard to reach bits of old mortar need to be removed with a mortar saw or hacksaw blade. Some professional companies use more specialized tools such as diamond blade professional machines, power chisels or mortar raking discs, which all add to the cost. When removing old mortar don’t be tempted to speed up the job by using an angle grinder or disc cutter as it will only cause damage to the surrounding masonry. You’ll need a plugging chisel and club hammer to remove the old mortar soft mortar will need a hook or old screwdriver to aid removal. Working from a ladder is inadvisable it’s uncomfortable and dangerous for this job. Depending on the size or height of the area to be re-pointed you may need to hire a scaffold tower. If you are doing the work yourself, there are several things you need to consider. Some companies have their own scaffolding but it is best to clarify this before work commences.
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If you are hiring a professional to do the work for you, then as well as their labour costs you may have the additional cost of scaffolding or an access tower. You need to be able to cut ‘slices’ of mortar that can be used straight into the raked-out masonry. The consistency of your new mortar is of paramount importance – too wet and it’ll smear all over your masonry, too dry and it will crumble. It is well worth the time and effort to rake out the old mortar properly in the first place –in the long run it will definitely save time.Īlways work down the wall this will ensure that any dust, rubble or mortar will not fall on any finished areas of masonry. A specialist in architectural conservation will be able to advise you on the correct composition for your replacement mortar if you are unsure.ĭon’t be tempted to re-point over existing mortar that is damaged – all that will happen is the re-pointing will quickly ‘pop’ off, leaving more work to do. If the mortars are not compatible there is a risk of serious damage to the structure. It is essential that the material used to re-point has the same characteristics as the original mortar such as permeability, strength and thermal expansion.