Brick Pointing Repairs London
Failed mortar joints are one of the most common causes of water ingress in London buildings. We investigate and repoint using rope access where suitable.
Why Pointing Fails
Mortar joints are designed to be sacrificial. Over decades, freeze-thaw cycles, wind-driven rain and atmospheric pollution erode the mortar, exposing the joint to deeper water penetration. Once the pointing recedes beyond a few millimetres, rain can sit in the joint and be drawn into the wall by capillary action.
When visible damp appears internally, the problem is already established externally. The mortar has failed to the point where water is saturating the masonry and tracking through to the inner face. Internal decorating alone does not solve this because the source remains active outside.
Exposed elevations and higher-level brickwork deteriorate faster because wind speeds and rain exposure increase with height. This is why upper floors often show damp first, even though the pointing may appear acceptable at ground level.
Saturated walls take considerable time to dry even after repointing is completed. The longer the problem is left, the deeper the saturation and the longer the drying period. Preventive maintenance is consistently cheaper than reactive repair.
Signs of Failed Pointing
Recessed Mortar Joints
Joints visibly deeper than the brick face, collecting water instead of shedding it.
Sandy or Crumbling Mortar
Mortar that rubs away easily under finger pressure, indicating loss of binder strength.
Damp Patches Internally
Wet or stained plaster on internal walls, particularly after rain events.
White Salt Deposits
Efflorescence on the brick face indicates water moving through the masonry and evaporating externally.
Moss or Plant Growth
Vegetation growing from joints indicates persistent moisture and sufficient soil depth where mortar has been lost.
Cracked or Hollow Pointing
Previous repairs using hard cement mortar that has cracked away from the brick edges, allowing water behind.
Our Repointing Process
Survey
We inspect the elevation at close range, identifying the extent of pointing failure. High-level areas are accessed by rope where suitable, avoiding unnecessary scaffolding.
Rake Out
Failed mortar is carefully raked out to a minimum depth of 15-20mm, removing all loose and deteriorated material without damaging the brick arrises.
Repoint
Joints are filled with mortar matched to the original mix and profile. We use lime-based mortars on older buildings to maintain breathability and flexibility.
Related Repairs
Where related defects are found during the work, such as gutter issues or flashing faults, these can often be completed during the same mobilisation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Failed Pointing Causing Damp?
Preventive repointing is consistently cheaper than dealing with the consequences of prolonged water ingress. Get in touch to discuss your building.