Repointing is the process that involves removing the old, damaged mortar and replacing it with new and fresh mortar. It is the most effective technique, especially in old homes like those in Westchester, because time, weather exposure, and the load of the entire building make it bulge more. So, Repointing is the essential step in restoring the masonry. Some of you think that Repointing is an easy task, but no, it’s not! Repointing a home demands a skilled workforce, high-quality materials, and a professional contractor who can supervise the process of Repointing. But the question arises: Is it hard to repoint a house? And how much does it cost to repoint bricks? So the answer is all this depends on the extent of the damage to the bricks and the intricacy you want. But to keep up with all that, regular maintenance in Repointing plays a very vital role.
Here in this blog, we’ll explore some basic understanding of Repointing and challenges we face when we repoint brick and how much it costs to repoint:
Basics of Repointing
Repointing goes beyond just filling out the damaged and cracked mortar. It is a detailed procedure that requires careful execution. The following are some steps for repointing:
- Raking Out Damaged Mortar: This step involves the precise removal of the old and deteriorated mortar ground out to almost ¾ inches, ensuring no adjacent brick is harmed or damaged.
- Prepping joints: Secondly, we prep the surface by cleaning the residue on the mortar joints, ensuring proper adhesion between the bricks.
- Installing fresh mortar: next, we should match the visually & structurally aligned mortars for a smooth, seamless restoration.
- Joint Finishing: Then, we give the joints a finishing & required texture with advanced tools to align with the original style.
- Allow Mortar to Set: Lastly, when the process is done, and new mortar is applied, make sure to consistently mist it to maintain the dampness during the curing of mortars and prevent cracking.
Challenges Faced in Repointing
Repointing requires delicacy. When Repointing happens, make sure to avoid any kind of damage from your side. But here are some of the hurdles that you may encounter while repointing:
Preventing Surface Damage
If Repointing is done carelessly, when you remove the aged mortar, you need to be very careful, as it adds the need for further replacements, which can cause higher repair costs.
- Conventional Repointing: $10–$15 per sq. ft.
- Historical Repointing: $20–$30+ per sq. ft.
These challenges become more critical when repointing historic buildings—especially with freeze-thaw cycles in colder regions that speed up deterioration.
Color & Texture Consistency
A mismatch in mortar can make your brickwork appearance look off & disrupt the uniformity of older masonry, and lead to visible inconsistencies.
Historical Repointing demands good cost due to its composition of mortars, like lime-to-sand ratios and other specific tools. It requires almost $250-$550.
Weather Impact on Mortar Setting
Your whole Repointing involves the game of weather conditions. For the best results, it is preferred to repoint in spring and autumn, while summers & winters are the worst weather for reporting, as it hinders proper mortar setting and leads to early structural failure.
For safety purposes, the installation of weather shields includes materials like tarpaulins or any other temporary setup, which can cost you an extra $200-$600 on your project.
Labor-heavy Restoration Work
Repointing demands skilled masons, as the process includes precision and repetitive tasks like mortar raking, mortar applying, tooling, etc. It can even tire the experienced worker.
The total cost or hourly rates of workers is $50-$100 per hour; it includes almost 50% of the total project cost.
To find out whether the effort is worth it or if the wall even needs repointing at all, it helps to understand how long repointing typically lasts.
Final Verdict: How Hard Is It?
Repointing, in general, is a very tiring and complicated process, as it takes a lot of time and effort. Doing it yourself (DIY) is difficult, or you may have some good repointing skills, but it is recommended to go for a highly qualified repointing contractor for the best results.
| Aspect | Effort Required |
|---|---|
| Simple Fixes | Fairly Challenging |
| Advanced DIY work | Intensive |
| Precision repointing | Complex for the contractor |
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Repointing is a necessary task for homeowners to maintain the structural soundness and visually appealing look of their brickwork. But somehow, it requires a professional mason, even though it can be managed. Repointing calls for patience, as it is a time-consuming job. So, it is hard to repaint a house!
Sardar Restoration Corp proudly serves every corner of NYC, including the Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Westchester, and Queens. Our services are designed to meet your needs, providing top-quality solutions wherever you are. Check our service areas to see how we can assist you in your location.
Contact us today at (+1) 917-355-8556 or sardarrestoration@gmail.com, or visit us at 2770 Fish Ave, Bronx, NY 10469, United States.
FAQs
Do you offer full-house repointing services?
Yes! Sardar Restoration Corp. offers small fixes and also works on full-scale repointing projects with meticulous attention to detail in residential & commercial properties in NYC.
Do you work on historic or heritage homes?
Yes! Sardar Restoration Corp. has expertise in repointing historic homes by using time-honored materials and compatible lime-based mortars to preserve the authenticity of their architectural characteristics.
How long does it take to repoint a house?
It depends on the work requirement and extent of damage in your masonry, but most minor fixation processes involve 1-2 days, while large-scale Repointing requires a week or more.
Do you use scaffolding?
Yes! Our repointing contractor in NYC prioritizes safety first and employs scaffolding for safe & secure project work when it involves dealing with multi-story buildings and confined places.
