Advice pointing

[Helpneededasap]

Hello,

Please can you look at this pointing and give me your ideas on whether it will weather in. The joints were very narrow and on reflection I don't think they have undertaken this type of work before. I am very upset and can't look at. Due to have the windows painted anf think it looks so rough.

Thanks

 

[Paul White Building]

It'll definitely weather in as does everything, however not the best pointing or worst I've seen. Get them back and express your concerns. I'm assuming they ground the joints out at least 25mm and then jet washed them out ? Although I can't see signs of a jet washer having been used...

Repointing is a very grey area, to have it done properly and guaranteed to last is very costly especially when you compare the cost to other projects you could have done. Most Builders don't entertain repointing due to the fact 90% of clients don't want to pay the high cost and therefore less ethical sorts step in and do it at a third of the cost knowing it'll be lucky to last a couple of winters. Hope this helps a little .

 

[Helpneededasap]

Thank you so much for responding. I intend on not paying until all areas have been pointed as there are some gaps. I even told him to stand back and look. I wish I had gone to a heritage company, but I know that would have cost so much. Hopefully we can see 5 years and then depending on how it lasts I will pay someone better next time. So frustrating as I have just had the sash windows restored and they are being painted back of the house to front. I was hoping it would all look so nice after. Do you know how much a good company would cost to repoint? The house is a three bed, double bay at the front. The back has clamp bricks and has been repointed at some point.
Oh and he hosed out the joints not jet washed!

 

[Paul White Building]

If the gaps are addressed and pointing is at least 25mm deep assuming the new mortar is sound you might get 5 years out of it.
The price for repointing can be anywhere between £60 - 110 per square metre depending on a number of factors, accessibility, condition of brickwork and mortar to name a couple. Unfortunately it's one of those projects that eats money for what appears little return. Be mindful that the pointing is a vital protection from weather damage to the brickwork which would cost exponentially more to repair.
If you get it done properly the cost will work out cheaper in the long run as you'll get at least 30+ years out of it without any serious maintenance.

 

[Helpneededasap]

We have paid 1300 for the front. I know they ground out a lot before they started pointing. It just looks rough up close. From the other side of the street it looks okay. The house desperately needed pointing as water was getting in, so I am hoping this will solve that problem when finished

 

[Paul White Building]

The red Victorian pressed bricks are difficult to keep clean from mortar marks but having said that the pointing finish isn't the best, it's very average and it sounds like you've paid an amount that should deliver above average finish..

 

[Helpneededasap]

I thought so, that did include a tower. This is from a distance. I will let it whether before we pay someone else.

 

[Helpneededasap]

*weather