Brick pointing is the process of repairing the mortar between the bricks. Bricks are used for a number of construction applications. They’re used to build homes, sidewalks, retaining walls, decorative walls and commercial buildings to name a few things. Bricks are a pretty solid construction material.

They’re held together using mortar. The mortar is placed between the bricks so that the bricks will hold together. Mortar hardens after it dries. In some cases when it’s exposed to the elements over time mortar actually becomes brittle and starts to crumble, leaving large spaces between the bricks. This naturally leaves the bricks some what less than stable.

When the mortar starts to give out, brick pointing is the only solution, because it only gets worse with time, so if you don’t attend to it and repair it the bricks themselves will start to fall apart.

Brick pointing requires several tools to be used to be carried out effectively. There are several tools of the trade which are used. Trowels, picks, pointers all are hand tools that are used in the process.

The first step is to scrape away any loose-fitting mortar, that has began to crumble, as you scrape you will get to a point where you might not scrape away any more mortar. After you have reached that point, move on to the next area that needs pointing. Continue the process until all the areas have had the loose mortar removed.

You can have to use a hammer and chisel, gently to remove the old mortar. Tap the chisel gently to loosen the old mortar. A small paint brush will come in handy for brushing away the crumbling mortar.

After clearing away the mortar, it’s time to mix up the new mortar. The mortars consistency ought to be type of grainy. Using your pointing tool, fill in the joints where the old mortar was, take care that there isn’t any moisture trapped between the bricks. You can use a hair dryer, to blow air in between the bricks to be certain that the area is dry. Clean up your tools and you’re done.

Brick pointing can easily save a structure from ruin. The process is a quick simple fix that requires a bit patience and some elbow grease. Virtually anyone with the right tools can learn this task. The tools are somewhat reasonably priced as is the mortar mix.

Brick pointing will keep your home from disrepair. Click this blog for even more information on this topic.