Blog>Questions>What's the best mix for repointing?
Last updated: 23 February 2024
What's the best mix for repointing?
Is water and damp penetrating your property? Are you thinking about repointing your brickwork? You'll want to know what's the best mix for repointing.
Compromised pointing reduces the stability of your brickwork. It also lets water and damp seep into your property. At the least, it might make your home look messy.
Nobody wants that!
If you want to resolve any or all of these problems, repointing might be a good starting point.
Repointing involves removing damaged and worn mortar from brick and masonry joints. Then, you can install a new mortar in its place. After you've prepared your brickwork or masonry, the next step is getting the mix right.
Read on as we answer the question, 'What's the best mix for repointing?'
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Perfect repointing ratio
To get your mortar mix for repointing right, aim for a durable and hard-wearing mix. You want your mortar to defend your home against the elements.
But your new mortar mix should also be flexible enough to let your bricks expand, depending on the weather.
Most builders recommend a mortar mix of;
It's always best to use a 4:1 ratio if you're repointing at a depth of 10mm. You can follow this general rule to colour-match a whole house.
Then, add water until you've got a good consistency to work with. Aim for a repointing mix damp enough to form into clumps without any water dribbling out.
Common repointing mistakes
Making your repointing mix too strong is a common DIY mistake.
If the mixture is too wet, you can use up to five parts sand. But most builders wouldn't recommend going over this as the mortar will be too tough.
Eventually, the mortar will crack and shrink with the brick. The mortar might even fall out.
Getting your repointing right
Knowing the best mix for repointing is vital for all the reasons we discussed above.
Have you considered calling in the professionals? It could be worth it if your repointing mix isn't sticking or keeps cracking.
You might find our repointing cost guide a helpful starting point.
Our trusted builders will know exactly what mortar mix ratio is needed for your brickwork. When the elements constantly invade your home, a skilled builder can help diagnose the problem.
Enter your postcode into the search box below to find a builder near you who can help.
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job