Brick pointing is the process of repairing the mortar between the bricks. Bricks are used for many different construction applications. They are used to build homes, sidewalks, retaining walls, decorative walls and commercial buildings to name a few things.
They are held together using mortar, which is placed between them so that the bricks will hold together. Mortar hardens after it dries. In some cases when it is exposed to the elements over time mortar actually becomes brittle and starts to crumble, leaving large spaces between the bricks. This of course leaves them some what less than stable.
When the mortar starts to give out, brick pointing is the only solution, because it only gets worse with time, so if you do not attend to it and repair it the bricks themselves will start to fall apart.
Tools
Brick pointing Bronx requires several tools to be used to be carried out effectively. There are several tools of the trade that are used. Trowels, picks, pointers all are hand tools that are used in the process.
Steps
The first step is to scrape away any loose mortar that has began to crumble, as you scrape you will get to a point where you can not scrape away any more mortar. Once you have reached that point, move on to the next area that needs pointing. Continue the process until all the areas have had the loose mortar removed.
You may have to use a hammer and chisel. Tap the chisel gently to loosen the old mortar. A small paint brush will come in handy for brushing it away as well.
After clearing away the old bits, it is time to mix up the new mortar. The consistency should be kind of grainy. Using your pointing tool, fill in the joints where the old mortar was, take care that there is no moisture trapped between the bricks. You can use a hair dryer, to blow air in between them to be certain that the area is dry.
Clean up your tools and you are done.
Brick pointing can easily save a structure from ruin. The process is a quick simple fix that requires a little patience and some elbow grease. Virtually anyone with the right tools can learn this task in Bronx. The tools are relatively inexpensive as is the mortar mix.