Supporting our repointing work
Brick repointing is our main speciality. These related repairs come up while working on existing brick homes, and we carry them out alongside repointing where they are needed.
The right repair depends on inspecting the particular wall and understanding what caused the damage. The descriptions below explain what a homeowner can usually see, and what the repair may involve. Nothing here replaces an inspection.
What you may notice
You can see cracked, chipped, spalled or badly deteriorated individual bricks.
Possible repair
The affected bricks are cut out and replaced, with brick matching carried out where practical, and the surrounding joints repointed to blend the repair.
What you may notice
A crack runs through the mortar and bricks, often near an opening or a wall junction.
Possible repair
Where appropriate, stainless steel helical reinforcement is installed into the bed joints across the crack and the joints are made good. Not every crack calls for stitching; the cause is assessed first.
What you may notice
Horizontal cracking at regular intervals, or bulging in an older cavity wall, can point to corroded wall ties.
Possible repair
Failed or corroded ties in existing cavity brick walls are replaced with new ties, and the affected brickwork is repointed.
What you may notice
Rust staining, lifting or cracking in the brickwork directly above a window or door opening.
Possible repair
The lintel is repaired or replaced and the brickwork above the opening is rebuilt and repointed.
What you may notice
Loose bricks, washed-out mortar or leaning brickwork on an exposed chimney.
Possible repair
Chimneys are repointed, damaged bricks replaced, and sections rebuilt where the brickwork can no longer be repaired in place.
What you may notice
A wall absorbs a lot of water and stays damp after rain.
Possible repair
Where appropriate, a clear silicone-based masonry water repellent can be applied to help reduce water absorption while keeping the visible brick finish. It is a water repellent, not a waterproofing system, and it is not a substitute for repairing worn joints.
What you may notice
Weathered, eroded or damaged sandstone sills, bases or steps on an older home.
Possible repair
Sandstone elements connected to older brick homes are carefully repaired and restored alongside the adjoining brickwork.
These repairs support the repointing work rather than replace it. If your mortar is cracking, crumbling or falling away, start there.