Repointing replaces worn-out mortar between bricks with fresh mortar, restoring a wall’s strength and weatherproofing. It matters because failing mortar lets water in, which leads to damp, structural weakening, and higher repair costs the longer it’s left. It helps with penetrating damp specifically, not rising damp or condensation, and properly done, it typically lasts 25 to 50 years.

This guide walks through what repointing actually involves, why it’s worth taking seriously rather than putting off, the signs that tell you it’s time, and what a proper job looks like from start to finish. We’ll also cover cost, whether it’s something you can tackle yourself, and how it connects to damp problems many homeowners assume are something else entirely.

What Is Repointing?

Mortar is designed to be the sacrificial part of a wall. Bricks are expensive and hard to replace, so mortar is built to wear down first, protecting the brick and giving you something straightforward to repair rather than facing a full rebuild.

Repointing means:

Removing the old, deteriorated mortar from the joints, usually by raking it out to a depth of roughly 12 to 19mm, or about twice the joint’s width
Cleaning the joint of dust and debris
Applying new mortar matched to the original in strength, colour, and composition
Finishing the joint so it sheds water properly rather than trapping it

Done properly, repointing is close to invisible once finished; the wall simply looks sound again rather than “repaired.”

Why Does Repointing Matter?

Mortar joints do more work than most homeowners realise. They hold the wall together structurally, and they’re the first line of defence against water getting into the brickwork at all.

Left untreated, failing mortar leads to:

Water ingress, since gaps and eroded joints give rain a direct route into the wall
Structural weakening, as bricks lose the support that keeps them properly aligned and load-bearing
Higher costs later, because a straightforward repointing job is far cheaper than dealing with damp damage, spalled brick faces, or a section of wall that needs rebuilding
Reduced energy efficiency, since gaps in mortar let warm air escape and cold air in

Here’s the practical reality: for a typical two-storey home, failed pointing on its own is rarely a structural emergency. Research from the Building Research Establishment shows that even badly recessed joints usually cost a wall about a third of its compressive strength, not anywhere near enough to bring it down. Taller buildings, or a wall that’s already cracking or visibly moving, are the exception, and genuinely need a proper structural assessment before any repointing starts.

Does Repointing Stop Damp?

This is one of the most misunderstood parts of the whole topic, and it’s worth getting right before spending any money.

Repointing helps with penetrating damp specifically, the kind that gets in through a defect in the wall’s structure. If failed mortar joints are letting wind-driven rain soak into the brickwork faster than it can dry out, repointing genuinely fixes that.

What it won’t fix:

Rising damp, which travels up through a wall from the ground and has nothing to do with the mortar joints higher up
Condensation, which forms from moisture in indoor air meeting a cold surface

Here’s a quick way to tell if mortar is actually your problem. If damp patches get worse after rain and dry out again in between, especially on a wall that takes the brunt of the weather, failed pointing is a reasonable suspect. If the damp instead sits in a low, steady band near the skirting boards no matter the weather, or shows up as mould in cold corners and behind furniture, it’s not the mortar, and repointing won’t fix it. If you’re not sure which pattern matches what you’re seeing, our guide on the signs of damp in older homes walks through how to tell them apart.

Signs Your House Needs Repointing

A few reliable indicators that it’s time to get pointing looked at:

Mortar that’s crumbling, powdery, or falls away when touched
Visible gaps or deep recesses between bricks
White, chalky staining on the brick surface, known as efflorescence
Damp patches appearing on internal walls, particularly after rain
Loose or slightly shifting bricks

A simple self-test: try scratching the mortar with a key or a flathead screwdriver. If it comes away easily or you can see a noticeable gap behind the brick face, that’s a fairly clear sign the joint has failed, though most roofers in Ashford would rather take a quick look themselves than have you guessing from a scratch test alone.

What Causes Brickwork To Need Repointing?

Mortar doesn’t fail for one single reason. The usual culprits:

Weather, particularly repeated freeze-thaw cycles, where water trapped in small cracks freezes, expands, and widens the damage
Age, since even well-built mortar has a working life before it needs attention
A previous repair using the wrong mortar mix, which is more common and more damaging than most homeowners expect

That last point deserves its own explanation. Older properties, generally anything pre-1920s, were built with lime mortar, which is deliberately softer and more breathable than the brick around it. This lets moisture pass through the joints and evaporate naturally. Modern cement-based mortar works the opposite way: it’s harder and largely impermeable. Used on an older wall, it stops moisture escaping through the joints, forcing it through the brick faces instead. Over time, this shows up as crumbling brick, salt staining, and damp that seems to persist no matter what’s done to the wall.

One honest caveat worth knowing:

A wall is genuinely cracking or moving, repointing on its own won’t solve it, and it can sometimes make the damage look worse once the new, harder joint highlights movement in the surrounding brick. In that situation, the cracking needs to be addressed first, with repointing carried out afterward as part of the wider repair.

How Much Does Repointing Cost?

Cost depends on the size of the job, the mortar type required, and how easy the wall is to access. Lime mortar work generally costs more than standard cement repointing, since it needs more careful matching and application, and jobs requiring scaffolding cost more than ground-level work.

For a full breakdown by property size and treatment type, our dedicated guide on how much repointing costs in the UK covers the figures in detail.

Can You Repoint Brickwork Yourself?

Small, low-level jobs are within reach of a confident DIYer. Anything structural, visible from the street, or on a period property is a different matter.

Safety Precautions Before You Start Repointing

Never work from a ladder when repointing at height; only from a properly erected scaffold platform.
Wear safety glasses, a dust mask or respirator, and gloves
Avoid disc saws or angle grinders for removing old mortar unless you’re experienced, since they’re easy to lose control of and can damage the brick

Tools Needed for Repointing

A raking tool or hook for removing old mortar
A pointing trowel and hawk for applying new mortar
A jointing tool for finishing the joint profile
A mixing bucket and trowel for preparing the mortar
A pointing gun, useful for covering larger areas of simple, modern joint styles more quickly

Step-by-Step Guide To Repointing Brickwork

Rake out the old mortar to a depth of roughly twice the joint’s width, taking care not to damage the surrounding brick edges.
Brush away loose dust and debris, then dampen the wall lightly before applying new mortar.
Mix the new mortar to match the original as closely as possible
Apply the mortar with a pointing trowel, working from the top of the wall downward
Finish the joint to match the existing style before the mortar sets too hard
Avoid repointing in frost or very hot, dry conditions, both of which h affect how well the mortar cures

For anything beyond a small, low-level patch, or a period property where matching the original lime mortar matters, hiring a professional tends to save money in the long run rather than risking a redo.

What Does Professional Repointing Involve?

Our process at Hibbs Roofing and Building Ltd follows a consistent approach: a full inspection of the wall, identifying the correct mortar match for the property’s age and construction, careful raking out to the right depth, and a finish that sheds water properly rather than trapping it

We carry out repointing in Ashford on everything from single walls to full period properties, matching the mortar to the building rather than applying a one-size-fits-all mix.

How Long Does Repointing Last?

Properly executed repointing, with the right mortar mix for the property, typically lasts several decades, often 25 to 50 years, before it needs attention again. Exposure makes a real difference: south- and west-facing walls and anything close to the coast tend to weather faster than more sheltered elevations.

A straightforward job on a single wall usually takes one to two days. A full-house repoint can take one to three weeks, depending on size and access.

The Benefits Of Repointing

Pulling everything together, a properly executed repointing job delivers:

Weatherproofing, sealing the wall against penetrating damp
Structural stability, keeping bricks properly supported and aligned
Improved appearance, restoring a clean, well-maintained look to the property
Better energy efficiency, reducing draughts through sealed joints
Protected property value, since visibly failing brickwork is a red flag for buyers and surveyors alike

Conclusion

Repointing is easy to overlook because mortar deteriorates so gradually, but it plays a bigger role than most homeowners realise. It’s what actually keeps water out, holds the wall together, and determines whether a period property’s original construction can continue to do its job properly. Getting the mortar match right matters just as much as getting the timing right, particularly on older Ashford homes.

If your brickwork is showing early signs of wear, or you’re simply not sure whether it needs attention yet, our team can take a proper look and give you an honest answer rather than a guess.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if you don’t repoint?

Water continues getting into the wall through the failed joints, which can lead to damp, frost damage, and eventually loose or spalling bricks. The longer it’s left, the more the repair tends to cost, since a full repointing job is almost always cheaper than fixing the damage that follows.

How long does repointing take?

A single wall or small section typically takes one to two days. A full-house repoint usually takes one to three weeks, depending on the size, access, and weather conditions.

Is there a cheaper alternative to repointing brickwork?

Brick sealants or waterproof coatings are sometimes marketed as a cheaper fix, but they only mask the problem rather than repairing the joint itself, and can trap moisture on older walls. For a genuine fix rather than a temporary cover-up, repointing the affected joints remains the more reliable option.

What does repointing mean?

It means removing deteriorated mortar from between bricks and replacing it with fresh mortar, restoring both the wall’s strength and its water resistance. It’s a repair to the mortar specifically, not the bricks themselves.

What Is Repointing And Why Does It Matter?