How to Point a Brick Wall

Bricks are a popular construction material used for building patios and walls. Though brick itself is incredibly durable and long-lasting, the mortar used to hold the bricks in place tends to erode over time due to wind, rain and changes in temperature. As mortar crumbles, it eventually blows away, leaving gaps between the bricks that are both ugly and a threat to the wall's structural integrity. The process of removing old damaged mortar and replacing it is called "pointing" or "tucking." The pointing process is fairly simple, but quite time-intensive. While this is a task that almost any homeowner can do himself, he should plan to put in a significant amount of time to complete the job, roughly 8 hours for each 15- to 20-square foot area.

Things You'll Need

• Safety glasses
• Hammer
• Flat chisel
• Mortar
• Water
• Brick trowel
• Pointing trowel
• Brick jointer

Instructions

1. Remove old crumbling mortar using your hammer and chisel. Plan to remove only a few square feet at a time so that the structure of the wall is maintained.

2. Mix the mortar. Blend a bag of mortar mix with water until it reaches the consistency of a thick paste. Allow it to set for 5 minutes so that the water can be absorbed.

3. Use your brick trowel to apply mortar into the spaces you've created between the bricks.

4. Use your pointing trowel to stuff mortar into deeper spaces and crevices, packing the material in tightly to prevent future water damage.

5. Use your pointing tool to shape the mortar. The pointing tool has a curved surface, which gives the new joints a nice curve and helps to tighten the joints.

Tips & Warnings

• It is easiest to work with stone when the temperature is at least 40 degrees. Working in colder temperatures tends to produce results of poorer quality.