Brick pointing tool and advice.

psd99

psd99

psd99

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Joined
7 Sep 2008
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Hi all,

I wondered how do I know which tool is the correct size for brick pointing?

what kind of ratio do I need and should I put fairy liquid in?
 
Just buy some mortar mix.
A pointing trowel doesn't need to be huge for pointing. Don't use fairy liquid use a proper plasticiser of you want to use it.
 
robj20 said:
Yeah that's a good tip, I usually push the mortar in at the top of the joint and have it slope to the bottom of you know what I mean.
Click to expand...

It gives a great profile for the cost of 20cm of hose. Slap the mortar in roughly and then run that over it afterwards, always worked nicely for me.

OP - what are you actually pointing. Is it a new or old wall?
 
Don't be tempted to put too much cement in as you want the bricks to be harder than the cement. Also too much cement can cause it to shrink and cause hairline cracks. I think 5 sand to 1 cement is the usual ratio for pointing bricks.

Also make sure you use the exact amounts of water/sand cement/admix every time you whip up a mix to make sure its all the same colour and strength.

Another important tip is to do the job on an overcast day that isn't too hot or cold and isn't forcast to rain. I see loads of people thinking a blisteringly hot day is ideal for pointing and then they wonder why they have cracks appear...
 
There are many tools for pointing depending on the finish you don't say what you'd like. Bucket handle or a bit of hose is easiest and cheapest. Struck joints take more time therefore cost.

If you're repointing don't just 'butter up' the joints, a proper job involves using a small 4.5 inch grinder to chase the old mortar out.

If you do it properly you'll need a trowel and a pointing trowel to get the mortar in the joint then the bucket handle to finish.
 
Maccapacca said:
There are many tools for pointing depending on the finish you don't say what you'd like. Bucket handle or a bit of hose is easiest and cheapest. Struck joints take more time therefore cost.

If you're repointing don't just 'butter up' the joints, a proper job involves using a small 4.5 inch grinder to chase the old mortar out.

If you do it properly you'll need a trowel and a pointing trowel to get the mortar in the joint then the bucket handle to finish.
Click to expand...

Appears I favour weatherstruck.
 
cheers guys

it's some old bricks been there for about 30 years on on my garage parapet that need repointing. Nothing urgent I will wait until spring probably on a nice overcast day :)

some of the mortar is coming loose, I've seen the angle grinder video that would be the ideal finish I agree.
 
ANDARIAL said:
If you have a lot of pointing to do one of these is ideal

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Concept-CP...41?keywords=Mortar+Gun&qid=1577784261&sr=8-41
I have one to repoint the patio every once in a while ,saves a lot of mess and is easy to use .Just make sure to mix the mortar to the right consistency
Click to expand...

cheers
pricey! might set a camel camel camel up on this
otherwise I was thinking of something like this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amtech-G17...77786484&sprefix=pointing+tool,aps,130&sr=8-4
 
If you have a pointing trowel and only have a small amount of pointing to do as has been said a piece of hose would do fine,better would be a bent piece of copper
 
ANDARIAL said:
If you have a lot of pointing to do one of these is ideal

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Concept-CP...41?keywords=Mortar+Gun&qid=1577784261&sr=8-41
I have one to repoint the patio every once in a while ,saves a lot of mess and is easy to use .Just make sure to mix the mortar to the right consistency
Click to expand...

these guns make life so much easier if you have big area to repoint, if you get one then also using some plasticiser in the mortar mix will make it flow from the gun easier and make the mortar easier to work with


Let the mortar start going off a little once you’ve put it on ,then with your trowel slightly tilted and one of the edges level with the top of the bricks drag it along the horizontal brick line with a slight pressure, saves messing about with hoses
 
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