What is the best mix for pointing brickwork?

Mortar Mix for Pointing The preferable mortar mix ratio for pointing is 1-part mortar and either 4 or 5 parts building sand. The ratio will vary depending on what exactly is being pointed. For bricklaying, you will usually want a 1:4 ratio with plasticiser added to the mixture.

What do you use for pointing bricks?

What is a mortar and which mortar mix is best for brickwork? Cement and sand mixed with water makes concrete. Cement and sand, with the addition of plasticizer or lime (all mixed with water)makes a building or pointing mortar.

How do I get rid of old pointing?

Existing mortar joints can be cut-back using either chisels, rakes or grinders.

1. Soft can be removed using hammer and chisel or a mortar rake.
2. Cutting wheels are always used to remove hard pointing and also where joints are over-filled.

Should you wet bricks before pointing?

Give your brick wall a good soaking with a hose and let it sit overnight. This will ensure that the bricks and old mortar are hydrated and that they don’t suck the water out of the new mortar you’ll place between them the next day.

Should I use plasticiser in mortar?

Yes, Plasticisers do weaken the mortar. The reason for that is that the strength of the mortar is actually the strength of the cement. However, a plasticiser is used in CONCRETE and hardly ever in mortar, as the coarse aggregates need to slide over each other to form a dense packing in a mix of the three.

Do you have to use plasticiser in mortar?

Add plasticisers and other additives to the mortar mix to improve workability, but only if needed. Use only products specifically designed as a mortar additive. Use pre-mixed or factory-made mortar to ensure consistency throughout.

Can I repoint brick myself?

Repointing brickwork involves carefully repacking the mortar sitting between the individual bricks, or stone blocks, that make up the exterior skin of your home. Although many renovators carry our DIY repointing, given the requirement for working at heights it can be a job that is best outsourced to a professional.

What mortar should I use for repointing?

Type O mortar, or high-lime mortar, a softer mortar with a low compressive strength of 350 psi, is best suited to repointing for several reasons. The first reason is that type O mortar is softer than the older bricks, and it allows the bricks to expand or contract from temperature changes or stress.