Brickwork

Re-Pointing

Brick re-pointing work is also undertaken and we can either patch up small areas of brickwork or whole scale re-pointing. Combined with our brick clean service we can make brickwork look as good as new. We offer a variety of pointing styles and always offer samples prior to works commencing.

Removal of the old mortar is carried out using an angle grinder fitted with a 5" diamond disc.

Mortar is removed to a depth approximately twice the width of the gap between the courses of brickwork - for example a gap of 9mm between the brickwork would mean mortar is removed to a depth of approximately 18mm.

From areas behind pipes and hard to get to places mortar is remove using a hammer and chisel. Once grinding is complete all debris is cleaned up and disposed of, before all elevations are hosed down ready for re-pointing.

Mortar is mixed depending on type of brickwork being re-pointed, as different types of brickwork require a different ratio of sand and cement mix and colour.

Mortar is bedded into the perpends (vertical and cross joints) first using a dotter (small pointing trowel) and pressed into the bedding joints above and below the perpends. The bed joint (horizontal joint) is then run using a large pointing trowel and bonded into the perpends.

As the mortar starts to dry out the joints already filled are tooled or cut according to the type of joint used and all loose material brushed away with a soft brush.

Brick Cleaning

After each stage of repair i.e. grinding out old mortar and re-pointing of brickwork, all elevations are power washed to removed dust and mortar respectively so has to complete the job to a satisfactory conclusion.

Also, if brickwork is stained or dirty through ageing it can be chemically cleaned - this involves the brushing of specialist chemicals into the brickwork and then power cleaning off to bring the wall back to its original beauty.

Remedial Wall Ties

Horizontal cracking in mortar joints is a fair indication of wall tie failure. The corroded wall tie expanding in size and lifting panels of brickwork causes the cracking. A building showing signs of wall tie failure may already been damaged structurally therefore the complete rebuild of the outer leaf maybe necessary.

The installation of wall ties into a structure should be a preventative measure before distortion of the brickwork has occurred.

The insertion of new wall ties is not sufficient on its own as the original ties may still be rapidly corroding which, if left could result in further disruption to the wall.

This method consists of locating and, removing mortar from around the tie in the outer leaf of brickwork and inserting a PVC sleeve containing a rust-inhibiting compound over the exposed tie to prevent further corrosion.

APPROVED CONTRACTOR PAM TIES LTD.

Paint Removal

Paint is removed from previously painted brickwork using paint strippers that are applied and gently dissolve the paint from the brickwork. The paint strippers are then rinsed off with warm water restoring the brickwork to its original condition.

Graffiti can be unsightly and our specialist brick and stone cleaning techniques can remove these eye sores to original standards.