Partial repointing

[EarSlaps]

When we bought our house the survey mentioned it would need repointing 'in due course', think it was listed as a 2 i.e. not urgent.

I've had a bit of a walk around and it looks ok at the moment apart from a few bricks, where it has worn quite a lot.

Can you have a partial repoint done? So just get someone to rake out and repair where it is really bad rather than doing a full job? Could this buy us a bit of extra time until we need to get it all done?

The house is 1960s and at the top of a hill so amazing views but rather exposed.

[greenbanana]

Yep, we've had this done - our last house the repointing on the side needed entirely redoing, but the front only a few bricks. Just make sure they match the colour of the pointing as closely as possible.

[EarSlaps]

Excellent! Just wanted to make sure I wouldn't sound like an idiot when speaking to a builder . Want to sound clued up so I don't look ripe to be ripped off.

I'll ask locally for recommendations then, though most houses around here are rendered so don't know if many people will know anyone!

[PigletJohn]

it will look better if you have an entire wall done. Can you scrape the old stuff with your thumbnail?

they will probably use a grinding wheel to get the old pointing out. It makes an incredible amount of gritty dust. Take you car and park it three streets away. You will need a broom followed by a hosepipe. Doing it in one job will reduce the amount of cleans you have to do.

[EarSlaps]

Thanks PigletJohn.
I know it's going to cost a lot so was hoping to delay it a bit. I can't scrape any out at ground floor level but I suspect I could upstairs. I'll try it hanging out of the window!

How often do houses need repointing?

[PigletJohn]

For a modern house built with cement mortar, 50 years is fairly early. However it will vary with quality of mix and weather at the time the house is built. Cool, cloudy days with mist and drizzle are good for new concrete and mortar, keeping it damp while it cures. Hot sunny days dry it out too fast. I am told that in Southern France, concrete roads are always poured after lunch, when the sun is past its peak and the fresh mix will be cool and moist overnight. Portland cement needs several days to cure, and is best if kept damp for at least a week. It does not, as some people think, go hard by drying out.

[EarSlaps]

I'm guessing it's just the exposed nature then- we're at the top of a hill facing west in the very rainy south west. I think it probably would've been wet when it was done, just like it always is .

Like I said, the bottom bit is brilliant, it's just there are a few patchy bits higher up. Was hoping to wait until we've got other jobs that need scaffolding!