Repointing side wall

danrv

FreeBear said:

OK 70s build - Don't suppose this is a Barret house ?

The major national house builders are not noted for their quality of build... https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6467195/Hundreds-Britains-new-build-homes-risk-crumbling.html

A little gadget that will help you when it comes to pointing (posted a couple of times before).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=811RvqR-ECw

Worth making one, and certainly a lot better than those mortar guns (don't bother buying one, they are cr*p).

Not sure. Cambridgeshire/Essex/Herts border. 
I’ve bought a basic plastic hawk form Screwfix and a pointing trowel. It’s only then that you 
start seeing other ideas and tools. Bit trial and error. 
I don’t have an applicator but the trowel has a rounded tip. 
Maybe could pick up a double ended one with different sizes each end. 
As for raking out, the mortar is quite solid at 10mm in and it would take a lot more hard work to get a 20mm deep gap (saw this recommendation somewhere).

danrv

stuart45 said:

6/1/1 should probably be fine for a 70's house. Make sure it's well damped down. I normally use the mist setting to give it a good soaking.

Thanks. Just wondering if, as this isn’t a lime based mortar, plasticiser could be used instead of the lime. I’ve bought 5L of Cementone for the job.

stuart45

Yes, you can use plaz instead. Just don't put in too much. You probably need a half round jointer to finish the joints.
These are really good for getting the bed joints straight, but you probably don't want the expense for a one off job.
https://www.speedcrete.co.uk/half-round-sled-runners.html

danrv

stuart45 said:

Yes, you can use plaz instead. Just don't put in too much. You probably need a half round jointer to finish the joints.
These are really good for getting the bed joints straight, but you probably don't want the expense for a one off job.
https://www.speedcrete.co.uk/half-round-sled-runners.html

That’s great, thanks.
For tools, so far have only bought a hawk and a trowel. Someone suggested a bit of hose
for shaping the mortar as it’s a one off job.

gamston

if you watch the video on this thread, its easy to make a board/hawk like the one he is selling, i found the hardest bit was making a trowel to use with it (made one from old radiator bracket in the end) for me the board/hawk works better than a normal hawk or a mortar gun
used bits around the garage to make the board/hawk, 
pine floorboard, pine stripwood for sides and radiator bracket for the angled ends that you place against the wall

stuart45

These are quite useful as well.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amtech-G1635-Tuck-Pointer-Trowel/dp/B00LQP3CS0/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_pdt_img_top?ie=UTF8

gamston

I've got one of those but it needs cutting down in length to fit the board/hawk, to buy at Toolstation is £6 (secondhand auction place near me shut down) so £6 or make one, I made one

danrv

Thanks for the replies. Good ideas for tools.
As mentioned, I should replace like for like. Have done the vinegar test on the mortar and no bubbling or reaction.
Don’t know if this is proof enough that it’s not lime based. 

danrv

Any ideas on identifying mortar type would be useful. I’ve prepared the 1st section of wall. It’s just that using cement where the original is lime based would be a bad idea I’ve read. Once I get the type and mix correct, I can crack on with it.
The old mortar is yellow sand colour when removed. It’s a fairly modern build (1970’s) so would have thought it would be cement/sand type.

FreeBear

Rake out some of the mortar and pop it in a small plastic container. Pour some vinegar on - If it fizzes, it will be lime.

But a 1970s build will most likely be cement based.

If the mortar really is lime based, then replace it with a 3:1 mix of sharp sand and NHL3.5 lime. Give the bricks a good soak with water before starting and cover with hessian when you are finished.