What Is Repointing and Why Is It Important for Your Property?
Brickwork is known for being strong and long-lasting, but the mortar holding the bricks together does not last forever. Years of exposure to rain, frost, wind, and changing temperatures can cause mortar joints to crack, crumble, or fall away.
When this happens, repointing may be needed to restore the brickwork and protect the property from further damage.
For homeowners in Chatham, Medway, and across Kent, recognising the signs of deteriorating mortar early can help prevent damp, heat loss, and more expensive structural repairs. In this guide, we explain what repointing is, why it matters, and how to tell when your property may need attention.
What Is Repointing?
Repointing is the process of removing old or damaged mortar from the joints between bricks and replacing it with fresh mortar.
Mortar plays an important role in a building. It holds the brickwork together, helps distribute weight, and prevents rainwater from entering through the joints. Once the mortar begins to deteriorate, the wall becomes more exposed to moisture and weather damage.
During professional repointing, the weakened mortar is carefully removed to a suitable depth. The joints are then cleaned and filled with new mortar that is appropriate for the age, condition, and construction of the property.
Why Does Mortar Deteriorate?
External walls are constantly exposed to the elements. Over time, repeated wetting and drying can weaken mortar and cause it to become loose or powdery.
Cold weather can make the problem worse. Water may enter small cracks in the mortar and then expand when it freezes, causing the joint to break apart further.
Other possible causes of mortar deterioration include:
- Age and natural weathering
- Heavy or wind-driven rain
- Frost and temperature changes
- Poor-quality previous repairs
- Inappropriate mortar mixtures
- Building movement or settlement
- Blocked or damaged guttering
- Persistent damp and water exposure
Properties in exposed areas may experience faster deterioration, particularly where walls receive little protection from rain and wind.
Seven Benefits of Repointing Your Property
1. It Helps Prevent Water Penetration
Damaged mortar joints can allow rainwater to enter the wall. Once moisture gets inside, it may contribute to damp patches, peeling paint, damaged plaster, and mould growth.
Repointing closes gaps in the joints and restores the wall’s ability to resist the weather. This can help keep both the brickwork and the interior of the property dry.
It is important to identify the source of any damp before work begins, as water may also be entering through damaged roofing, guttering, flashing, or external pipework.
2. It Protects the Brickwork
Mortar is generally designed to be more sacrificial than the surrounding bricks. This means it should absorb much of the weathering and deteriorate before the bricks do.
When mortar joints are left damaged, the brick edges may become more exposed to moisture, frost, and erosion. This can eventually cause the bricks to crack, crumble, or lose their outer surface.
Replacing deteriorated mortar at the right time can help preserve the bricks and reduce the need for more extensive wall repairs.
3. It Improves Structural Stability
Mortar helps hold bricks securely in position. If large sections of mortar become loose or disappear, the wall may gradually lose stability.
Repointing restores support between the bricks and helps strengthen the affected area. This is especially important around chimneys, gable ends, parapet walls, and other exposed sections of a building.
Serious cracking, leaning walls, or significant movement should always be assessed by a qualified professional, as repointing alone may not solve an underlying structural issue.
4. It Can Improve Energy Efficiency
Gaps in external mortar joints may allow cold air and moisture to enter the wall. This can make the property feel colder and may contribute to heat loss.
By filling damaged joints, repointing can reduce draughts and improve the overall weather resistance of the building.
Repointing is not a substitute for insulation, but it can support the property’s energy efficiency by ensuring the external walls remain properly sealed and maintained.
5. It Restores the Appearance of the Building
Crumbling, uneven, or badly repaired mortar can make an otherwise attractive property appear neglected.
Fresh, professionally applied mortar gives the brickwork a cleaner and more consistent finish. The colour, texture, and pointing style can be selected to suit the existing bricks and the character of the building.
This is particularly important for period properties, where an unsuitable modern mortar or pointing style may look out of place and could potentially damage older, softer bricks.
6. It Can Help Maintain Property Value
Visible cracks and deteriorating mortar may concern prospective buyers because they can suggest damp, poor maintenance, or structural problems.
Keeping the brickwork in good condition demonstrates that the property has been properly cared for. Repointing can improve kerb appeal while reducing the risk of defects being identified during a property survey.
Although repointing may not directly increase the value of every property, it can help protect its condition and prevent avoidable deterioration.
7. It Can Prevent More Expensive Repairs
Minor mortar damage is usually easier and less costly to address than widespread brick or structural damage.
Ignoring deteriorating joints may allow water to enter, bricks to loosen, and internal damp to develop. Over time, this can result in a much larger repair project.
Early repointing is a preventative measure that may save money by protecting the wall before the damage becomes more serious.
What Are the Signs That a Property Needs Repointing?
Mortar deterioration is often visible from ground level, although some areas may require a closer professional inspection.
Common warning signs include:
- Cracked or missing mortar
- Mortar that crumbles when touched
- Gaps between bricks
- Loose or unstable bricks
- Damp patches on internal walls
- Moss or plant growth in the joints
- White staining on the brickwork
- Water entering around chimneys or external walls
- Uneven or poorly matched previous repairs
A simple visual check can reveal obvious problems, but areas at roof level should not be inspected without appropriate access and safety equipment.
What Happens During the Repointing Process?
The exact process will depend on the property, but professional repointing will generally involve several stages.
First, the brickwork is inspected to determine the extent of the damage and identify any underlying problems. The old mortar is then carefully removed from the affected joints without unnecessarily damaging the bricks.
Dust and loose material are cleared away before the joints are prepared for the new mortar. A suitable mortar mixture is applied and shaped to create the required finish.
The wall must then be allowed to cure correctly. Depending on the weather, the fresh mortar may need to be protected from heavy rain, strong sunlight, wind, or frost while it sets.
How Long Does Repointing Last?
Professional repointing can last for many years when the brickwork is prepared correctly and the appropriate mortar is used.
Its lifespan will depend on factors such as the property’s location, exposure to the weather, wall condition, mortar type, and quality of workmanship.
Regular maintenance of roofing, gutters, downpipes, and drainage can also help prolong the results by preventing unnecessary water from running over the brickwork.
Arrange a Repointing Inspection in Kent
Repointing can help protect your property from water penetration, improve the appearance of its brickwork, and prevent small defects from becoming expensive repairs.
At Primeline Roofing and Building Ltd, we provide professional repointing and building maintenance services throughout Chatham, Medway, and the surrounding areas of Kent.
Our team can inspect your brickwork, identify damaged mortar joints, and recommend an appropriate repair based on the construction and condition of your property.
Contact us today to arrange an inspection or request a quotation for professional repointing services across Kent.