I want to have the exterior of my house cleaned and repointed. Am I missing any steps. This is what I plan to do in the following order
– Grind out 1/2 from all the joints
– Muratic Acid /Clean the Walls/Joints with Pressure Washer
– Repoint the joints
What’s a ratio needed for a lime based morter. I’ve been told that I will need to use a lime based mix as the house (about 65 years old) has softer bricks and to accomodate the softer brick, the morter has to be softer.
Replies
I believe a pointing mix for soft brick would be:
Alan- I was reading where 3/4 inch deep was the recommended depth for the joint grind.
alan
Unless there is something unusual going on, a 65-year-old house should not have soft brick and require high-lime content mortar.
Portland cement mortars were universal by the 1920's. You either have (1) an unusual situation (old brick?) and someone who really knows their stuff or (2) a typical condition and someone doesn't know what they are looking at. You can try this simple step yourself if you can remove a small section of mortar: pulverize to small pieces (this will be tough if it is portland cement-based, as would normally be expected) and place the pieces in a vinegar solution. After a few hours, pour off the solution. If you have a high-lime mortar all that will be left is the sand, for which you should be looking for a good match.
Step 1 - if you have doubts, is ALWAYS, analyze the mortar and reproduce it in kind.
Step 2 - make sure your mason knows what he/she is doing (similar work, references), etc.
T. Jeffery Clarke
Edited 5/21/2002 9:52:25 AM ET by Jeff Clarke
Alan, For information on lime mortar, go to: http://www.lime.org/.