Have you started to notice that the joints of a brick or stone wall seem to be deteriorating? It is imperative to repair the damaged masonry joints to avoid premature aging of your wall. In addition, you will improve the aesthetics of your masonry by repairing these damaged joints which lend a neglected appearance to the building.
Although masonry work is known for its aesthetic appeal and durability against adverse weather, the climate extremes in Montreal affect wall joints and masonry surfaces.
The frequent freezing and thawing cycles are damaging to mortar joints. In fact, the water that could not evaporate and is retained in the materials freezes and can cause damage to the masonry. The joints between the masonry elements erode and become porous over time.
Consider repairing your masonry joints as soon as you notice that the mortar joints of your bricks and stones show signs of weakness such as crumbling, cracks or crevices. To prevent further damage, it is advisable to quickly carry out the appropriate masonry work and repair.
When the mortar joints are watertight and in good condition, many issues can be avoided:
These are problems that could endanger the safety of occupants and bystanders.
Furthermore, by making the repairs quickly, you will prevent the situation from getting worse and thus reduce the costs associated with the restoration.
Repointing, also known as pointing or rejointing, is a masonry procedure that consists of carefully redoing the joints of the masonry after they have been stripped. More specifically, a section of degraded mortar is removed, and the joints are rebuilt with a new repointing mortar for improved adhesion to the masonry elements.
Specifically, repointing of brick or stone consists of:
By hiring qualified professionals such as masonry contractors for your repointing work, you will ensure that:
Correctly repaired mortar joints will restore your wall’s aesthetic appeal, effectiveness, and durability for decades to come.
To ensure that the repair is long-lasting, a significant depth of mortar will need to be removed to rebuild it to new. The condition of the brick or stone in the wall may affect the repair: it can sometimes be best to remove the bricks or stones, clean them and reinstall them. That way you can give them a second life!
If you would like to find out the cost of repointing your masonry, contact our team for more details or for a quote.