Repointing is the process of removing deteriorated mortar from the joints between bricks and replacing it with fresh mortar, restoring the weatherproofing and structural integrity of the masonry. It is a necessary maintenance task for older brick and stone buildings and, if left too long, can result in water penetration leading to damp, frost damage, and structural deterioration.

When Repointing Is Needed

Mortar joints typically last 50 to 80 years before deterioration requires repointing, though this varies with the exposure of the wall, the original mortar mix, and environmental conditions. Signs that repointing is needed include mortar that crumbles away when probed with a key or screwdriver, joints that are recessed more than ten millimetres from the face of the brick, cracks in the mortar joints, and evidence of water penetration behind the wall. Not all of a building's joints may need repointing; an assessment by a qualified bricklayer identifies which areas are defective.

Cost Per Square Metre

Professional repointing is labour-intensive work and costs between twenty and forty pounds per square metre of wall surface, depending on the complexity, the height of the work, and the type of mortar joint profile required. Simple flush or weather-struck joints are quicker to finish than tooled or recessed profiles. Work at height on upper storey walls costs more than ground-level work due to scaffolding requirements.

Scaffolding Costs

For any repointing work above the first floor, scaffolding is required. A standard scaffold for a semi-detached house costs five hundred to one thousand and five hundred pounds to erect, hire, and dismantle. This cost is typically included in the total contract price from a bricklaying contractor who arranges their own access, but it is worth confirming when comparing quotes.

Full House Repoint Costs

A full repoint of all external walls on a standard three-bedroom semi-detached house involves around 100 to 150 square metres of wall area, giving a labour and material cost of two thousand to six thousand pounds. If only the front or rear elevation needs attention, or if only the upper courses are deteriorated, the cost is proportionally lower. A pre-purchase condition survey or a bricklayer's assessment identifies the extent of repointing required before committing to the expenditure.

Summary

Repointing costs twenty to forty pounds per square metre of wall area. A full repoint of a three-bedroom semi-detached house costs two thousand to six thousand pounds including scaffolding. Lime mortar is required for older pre-1920s buildings; Portland cement is suitable for post-war construction. An assessment of which joints are defective before quoting prevents paying for unnecessary work.