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Bricklaying & Repointing

Render V Repointing Damaged Brickwork

Anonymous user 23/02/2024 - 3.35 PM

Our house is at the end of a row of terraces. It wasn’t always the end terrace, but the house that was, got demolished years ago, so what was the party wall, is now the end terrace wall and the brickwork is in desperate need of repair and TLC. The brickwork below eaves level could possibly be rendered or repointed, but I don’t think the brickwork above eaves level, that gets the most weather exposure, could be rendered without having to repair some areas of the brickwork first. Some bricks have completely blown and need replacing, regardless if we render or repoint. Some of the brickwork has lost most of its mortar joint, and I have read in this case, the brick work would still need repointing to restore the structural integrity of the brickwork, even you decide to render afterwards, is that the case? The brick wall is solid and not cavity, I have read solid walls are far more prone to trapping moisture if it gets through a render, is that right? I personally would prefer to repoint and would only render if it these two points, were not the case, and if rendering was much cheaper and less maintenance.

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4 Answers

Scl building and property maintenance

Rating: 4.7 out of 5
Solihull
If any of the brickwork mortar is soft or missing I would advise you to repoint asap to stop any water penetration. As it's an old house some moisture could penetrate and stay in brickwork due to there being no air flow . If you were going to render you can use waterproof adhesives in the mix this helps any later water probs if when this is done there is damp inside the property you could use a dehumidifier to take moisture out of walls and hopefully be the end of any problem.
Answered2 October 2020
13

ADR Property Maintenance

Rating: 5 out of 5
Boston
with that type of property re pointing with N.H.L. mortar would be your best bet N.H.L. has no additive , using a water proofer will only make your dampness issues worse, if required you can render with a N.H.L. RENDER , THIS TYPE OF BUILDING NEED TO BREATHE TO PREVENT DAMP SEALING IT WITH MODERN MATERIALS WILL ONLY MAKE IT WORSE. GOOD LUCK ALEX
Answered2 October 2020
1

restoration specialise in repointing in lime mortars

Rating: 5 out of 5
Belfast
What ADR property Maintenance said 100% waterproofers and cementatious products are what's Killing these old properties such a shame most people just go for the cheapest quote. All the best Frank
Answered11 October 2020
0

Klampconstruct Limited

Rating: 5 out of 5
Brighton
First because of the history and nature of the building works previously, depending on how bad it looks, I may be inclined to ask the advice of a structural engineer. Who would than specify exactly what needed to done to make the wall structurally sound. This aside i would wait for the weather to be favourable allowing the wall to dry out best it can before doing any work. Remove and replace any brick that has lost its structural integrity. Repoint and fill any holes making the wall stronger. Once this work has been allowed to set and dry thoroughly, i would than assess the wall to see which system of rendering would best suit and possibly even installing weather boarding on top of that to even add more protection . You can also use humidifiers from inside to help draw out any remaining moisture if needed.
Answered27 October 2020
0