Mortar joints don't last as long as the brick or stone they hold together, so repointing is a job most properties need at some point, usually every few decades depending on the mortar used and how exposed the wall is to weather. Done properly, it protects a building for another 50 to 100 years. Done with the wrong mortar, it can actively damage the brickwork it was meant to protect.
RW Builders repoints properties across York and North Yorkshire, and getting the mortar specification right for your specific building is the single most important part of the job.
If your property has been repointed before, it's worth telling us what you know about when and how, since a wall that's already been repointed with the wrong mortar sometimes needs the incorrect pointing removed before correct repointing can begin, rather than simply adding a new layer of the right mortar over the top of a mismatched one underneath.
This is the area where repointing most commonly goes wrong, and it's worth understanding before agreeing to any quote:
Getting this wrong isn't a cosmetic issue, it's a genuine cause of long-term damage to brickwork and stonework that's expensive to reverse once it's happened. We assess the age and original construction of your property properly before specifying a mortar mix, rather than defaulting to whatever's quickest and cheapest.
Properties built before around 1930, which covers a large proportion of York's housing stock, were generally built with lime mortar, a softer, more breathable material than modern cement
Repointing these buildings with cement mortar is one of the most common mistakes in the trade. Cement is harder and less permeable than the brick or stone around it, which means moisture that should evaporate through the mortar joint instead gets forced through the brick or stone face itself, causing it to crack, flake and break away over time, known as spalling
Properties built from roughly 1930 onwards typically used cement-based mortar from the outset, and repointing these with a modern cement mix is the correct approach
Mortar, particularly lime mortar, needs time and the right conditions to cure properly. Repointing during very cold weather risks frost damaging the fresh mortar before it's had a chance to set, while very hot, dry conditions can cause it to dry too quickly and crack. We plan repointing work around the season and, where necessary, protect fresh mortar with hessian or similar sheeting to control the curing conditions rather than leaving it exposed to whatever the weather does that week.
Removing old lime mortar and old cement mortar require different techniques, softer lime mortar is usually removed carefully by hand to avoid damaging surrounding brickwork, while harder cement mortar typically needs a grinder or masonry blade, again taking care not to damage the brick faces in the process.
Assessment of the existing mortar and building age to determine the correct mix
Careful removal of failed mortar to a suitable depth, typically twice the joint width, taking care not to damage the surrounding brick or stone
Repointing with the correctly specified mortar, lime-based for older properties or cement-based for modern construction 4. Finishing to match the existing joint style and profile
We're a family-run team based in York, and we take mortar specification seriously rather than treating repointing as a purely cosmetic job. We work across the city and surrounding villages including Haxby, Strensall, Poppleton and Osbaldwick, and every quote is clear and written, specifying exactly which mortar mix we'll be using and why.
Excellent job from Phil and his team. Both external and internal works finished to an excellent quality. Happy to deal with changes and kept us informed on a day-to-day basis. Definitely recommend.
RW Builders directly on 01904 530941, or send your details through our contact form, and we'll arrange a visit to assess your property. Quotes are free and come with no obligation.