Raking out and repointing brickwork and stonework
Repointing
Repointing is the process of raking out old, eroded or failed mortar from between bricks or stones to a consistent depth and replacing it with fresh mortar, restoring the wall's weather resistance and appearance.
Definition
What Repointing covers
Mortar joints erode over time through weathering, and once badly worn they let water into the wall rather than shedding it. Repointing rakes the old mortar out to a consistent depth — usually around two to two-and-a-half times the joint width — and replaces it with a new mortar mix chosen to suit the brick or stone, the property's age and its exposure to weather.
Suitable for
- Walls with visibly eroded, crumbling or missing mortar joints
- Properties showing damp patches linked to failed pointing rather than a wall's core structure
- Older solid-wall properties needing a lime mortar rather than a hard cement mix
- Chimney stacks and exposed elevations that weather faster than sheltered walls
Not suitable for
- Walls where the mortar is sound and only cosmetic refresh is wanted (repointing sound joints is unnecessary and can damage brick edges)
- Structural cracking or movement in a wall, which needs investigating separately before repointing addresses the pointing itself
Process
How the work is carried out
- 01
Survey
Assessing the extent and depth of mortar failure, the brick or stone type, and access required.
- 02
Raking out
Removing old mortar to a consistent depth without damaging the arris (edge) of the surrounding brick or stone.
- 03
Repointing
Applying a mortar mix matched to the wall's material and age, finished to match the existing joint profile.
- 04
Completion
Cleaning down the finished brickwork and removing scaffold or access equipment.
Typical timescale
Repointing a typical elevation takes several days to a couple of weeks depending on the area, access and how much preparation the existing joints need.
Cost guidance
Repointing typically costs £40–£80 per m² in our area, with access (scaffold versus ground level), the depth of raking-out needed and mortar type driving the range. We provide an itemised quotation after survey.
Limitations and exclusions
- Using a hard cement mortar on an older, soft-brick or solid-wall property can trap moisture and cause the brick to fail — mortar mix is matched to the wall, not assumed
- Scaffold or access equipment for upper floors and chimneys is priced according to the height and extent of work
- Structural movement or cracking found during survey is assessed separately and may need an engineer's input before repointing proceeds
Areas we cover
Repointing across Sussex, Surrey, Kent and South London
Local property styles, planning authorities and neighbourhood coverage for repointing in each town we work in.
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FAQs
Repointing FAQs
How do I know if my brickwork needs repointing?
Signs include mortar that is crumbling, cracked or missing between bricks, joints that have visibly receded, or damp patches appearing on internal walls that align with poorly pointed external brickwork. We assess this at survey.
Why does mortar mix matter for repointing?
Mortar needs to be softer than the brick or stone it's pointing, so it wears rather than the masonry, and needs to let the wall breathe on older solid-wall properties. A hard, dense cement mortar on the wrong type of wall can trap moisture and cause the brick to spall (flake) over time.
Can repointing fix a damp problem?
It can help where damp is caused by failed pointing letting water into the wall, but not all damp comes from mortar joints — rising damp, plumbing leaks and condensation have different causes. We assess the likely source before recommending repointing as the fix.
Discuss your repointing project
Tell us about the property and what you have in mind, and we'll arrange a site visit.
Last reviewed 2026-07-28.