Repointing Brickwork
The natural action of wind and rain will cause mortar between the bricks of your house to loosen, crumble and wear down. This not only looks bad but can also allow water to penetrate the bricks. The answer to this problem is re-pointing. This is not a difficult job and you only need a few tools to carry it out. However if you need to re-point in large area, high up on a wall, it might be worth hiring scaffolding to make things easier.
Getting started
Use an old screwdriver to scrape out any loose mortar and a hammer to clear out any remaining pieces. Take the mortar back by about 15 millimetres, and then use a brush to remove any dust. Soak the brickwork and joints in water to stop moisture being absorbed out of the new mortar.
Finishing off
Mix up your mortar and start to push it into the joints with a trowel. It is best to start with the upright joints and then the horizontal, and to work from top to bottom. Once the mortar has set use an old broom to remove any remaining mortar dust and wash down any stains. Persistent stains can be hidden by rubbing them with an old brick.
Waterproofing
To finish the job it is a good idea to coat the bricks with a good water repellent. This will both prevent water from penetrating the bricks and improve insulation. Remember to only do this once any old and damaged bricks have been replaced and repointed.
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