Brick pointing is challenging, but a brick pointing contractor can do it right for you. Make sure you hire one.
With time like all things, the structure of your brick walls tends to grow weak. Atmospheric agents have a lot to do with this, and eventually, the brick mortar between the mortar joints tends to wither away. When water gets into the joints, you might even find a few bricks breaking off. This is why you will need to rejuvenate the structure of your bricks with brick pointing. This is finishing or redoing the mortar joints of the bricks with lime mortar or cement mortar.
It’s hard to tell what points of the bricks the atmospheric air or water have got to first, which is why you would need to do brick pointing for the entire structure. The process is carried up to 10-20 mm, and it has typically given an even and visually appealing appearance and a good and robust structure. Here are the methods of brick pointing that contractors use:
This is the kind of point that is used for high-quality masonry work. The mortar is usually pressed back 5 mm from the edges. During the recessed pointing, the direction of the mortar is kept to the vertical side. Suitable tools are mostly peaked, and strap or ribbon usually is the tools used for a small trowel. Recessed pointing can easily be achieved using a flat iron or a ranking tool. This gives a good and structured appearance to the bricks.
This is the most extensively used brick pointing bronx method because it does not allow any room for atmospheric damage. The mortar is hard-pressed against the raked joints, and then the flush is finished off with a masonry unit. The edges are then neatly trimmed with a straight edge or trowel. This kind of brick pointing will not give your structure the best look, but it will help prevent any room for damage. There is no room for dust and water to settle in and damage the structure.
This kind of brick pointing will allow water to flow off the wall without settling in quickly. It is more or less like flush pointing except for the direction of the mortar filling is kept inclined. The face of it is pushed inside to about 10 mm from the upper side, giving it an inclined position that makes it easy for water to drain.
Rubbed, keyed, or Grooved Pointing:
This is yet another modification of flush pointing. The Grooved Pointing is suitable for ashlar or masonry work; keyed Pointing gives an elegant look, and it is done when, after filling the joints with mortar filling, a semi-circle sort of appearance is formed using a tool. Same as with rubbed pointing, all these pointing methods form when the groove is formed at its mid-height using a suitable tool.
This is removing old mortar from joints and then replacing it with the sort that matches the bricks. Then lines of Putty or fillets with a contrasting color are filled right in the middle of the mortar joints. A narrow channel is cut in the groove center, having 5mm of width and 3 mm of depth, and this cavity is then filled with white putty cement. If the projections are made in the mortar form, it will be called a bastard pointing or a half tuckpointing.
This beaded groove is formed using an iron with a concave edge or steel. This type of brick pointing will give a perfect appearance, but it is more likely to damage. The spaces between the groove will allow water to settle in, and atmospheric damage will cause your bricks to start disintegrating.
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This is also a modification of flush pointing, and it is accomplished by projecting the face of the Pointing in the form of a V-shape. It does give a pleasing appearance, but it isn’t so good for the bricks’ durability once again.
This is the kind of brick pointing where the V-shaped groove is formed in the flush-finishing face. It is directed inwards, leaving room for water accumulation, so it isn’t the best for durability.
Why you should get Brick Pointing Done:
We know you’ve heard plenty of times that you should get brick pointing done, but it does help to wonder why exactly should you get it has done in the first place. Firstly, this is the most obvious of reasons, but Pointing will help you seal up the space between the brick mortars where water could accumulate and cause damage.
Once water accumulates, it causes a disintegration of the mortar joints, and eventually, the bricks of the walls will be falling off or far too weak to last as long as you would want it to. Secondly, your maintenance costs will be drastically reduced if you learn to take care of the brick structure before the damage extends.
If the work is done to serve aesthetics more than durability, then you will have a problem. This kind of process helps create solid and reliable bonds between mortar joints. Even in a high precipitation era, these processes tend to help maintain your residence’s structural integrity. Your local contractor will know exactly what process is suitable for your particular case keeping in mind the structure and atmospheric conditions.
No matter what type of brick pointing NYC you decide to go with, you analyze the damage first. Brick pointing is suitable because it does not create an irregular pattern in your walls which will be both visually appalling and susceptible to damage and breakage. If you want a solid interior structure of your household and avoid repairs, it is essential to counter the problem before it arises. Brick pointing is the best way to hire a contractor for at least 20 years of durability.
