How-to re-point brickwork

It is very important to check the pointing in your house from time to time. If your house is over thirty years old it is probably in need of re-pointing.Re-pointing brickwork is essential to stopping dampness occurring in the inside walls of your property especially if it is not a cavity wall.The procedure is as follows: Rake out the old pointing to a depth of about 15mm preferably with an angle grinder so that the bricks are not damaged.Wet the brickwork with a hosepipe to clean off the dust from the joints so that the new mortar can adhere better. Make a mortar mix of 5 parts sand and 1 part cement and one part lime.Mix it thoroughly to ensure that all the air is removed. Now apply the mortar to the perpendicular joints first and then the horizontals.Smooth it with the trowel as you apply it and then using your spirit level or a straight piece of timber, cut off the excess mortar leaving a nice weatherproof joint. Re-pointing brickwork is not a very difficult job to do and it makes an enormous difference to the appearance of you house while affording great protection from the elements.