Failed pointing lets water into the building. We rake out properly, specify the correct mortar for your brickwork age and type, and match the existing so it doesn't look patched. Listed buildings and heritage stonework covered.
We respond within hours - 24/7 including weekends and bank holidays.
This is the most common repointing mistake: using modern cement mortar on old soft brickwork. Pre-1930s houses were built with softer bricks and lime-based mortars. The mortar was designed to be the sacrificial element - softer than the brick, so moisture movement happens in the joint rather than through the face of the brick.
Put hard cement mortar on soft old bricks and the bricks lose. You get spalling faces, moisture trapped behind the hard mortar and accelerated deterioration. The repair ends up costing far more than the original problem.
Most bad repointing jobs skip one of these four steps.
We identify the brick type, existing mortar composition and joint condition before touching anything. For older properties we specify lime mortar. We won't just point over existing failed mortar.
Failed mortar raked out to a minimum 20mm depth. Pointing over the top of failed mortar doesn't last - the new material has nothing solid to bond to and fails within a couple of years.
Mixed to the correct specification and colour. Applied in consistent joints matching the existing profile - weather-struck, flush or bucket-handle depending on what's there.
We inspect the finished work before leaving and issue a written guarantee. We'll also flag any other issues found on the brickwork during the job.
Listed buildings and heritage stonework: We carry out sandstone wall pointing following the Heritage Trust Specification for graded listed buildings. If your property has specific requirements, mention it when you get in touch and we'll confirm the right approach.
"Very reliable company. Professional and trustworthy. Always responding to my concerns. Time frame agreed. I'm very satisfied, I recommend."
Common signs: mortar that crumbles when pressed, visible gaps between bricks wider than 1-2mm, damp on internal walls not explained by plumbing, or pointing recessed more than 5mm from the face of the brickwork.
30-50 years with the correct mortar mix and proper raking out beforehand. The key variables are depth of rake-out and getting the mix right for the brickwork type.
Usually yes, though matching heavily weathered mortar can be difficult. We'll show you sample mixes before you commit and be honest about how close we can get.
For a full two-storey house repoint, yes. We include scaffolding costs in our quote.
Almost certainly yes if it's pre-1930s and hasn't been repointed before. Using cement mortar causes brick damage over time. We'll confirm after inspecting.
Yes, and it often makes sense while the scaffold is up. We assess the chimney as part of the same inspection at no extra charge.
Free inspection, correct specification, fixed price. Call 0203 649 8949 - we won't point over the problem.
Typical response within 2 hours · Emergency line open 24/7