Brick pointing

woody7777

Looking for a bit of advice on brick pointing. I did some on my own house which turned out not too badly, so a friend has asked me to help out with his. Mine was a bit easier as it is a rounded shape, but his looks a bit harder. It is a bit like the type in the photo. How is this done?

diystarter7

I've done them both when building massvice 3 brick pilliars - the one not in the pic is easier. The one in the pic, I found the vertical bit very difficult, time consuming and not as neat as the easier joints. Juat make sure you get the mix right to make it easier.

woody7777

Thanks. What tools did you use?

diystarter7

Just the trowel and thinking back the finish was like the one on the pic but the edge was not as pronounced.

As you may be aware there are tools for pointing starting from about 3 quid.

A trowel you feel comfy with I had a good one but smaller than the professionals did the trick - and I used a liquid to make it easier added to cement must have been a plasterciser

woody7777

Thanks for that, I will get for a pointing trowel. Getting the bottom straight may take some effort.

danrv

I initially bought just a pointing trowel from Homebase for repointing my property’s side wall. I soon found though that a narrow tuck pointer was needed to push the mortar sufficiently into the raked out beds and perps.
Bought this Amtech one and also a Ragni 1/2 & 3/8 (R803) brick jointer tool for bucket handle finish:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amtech-G1635-Tuck-Pointer-Trowel/dp/B00LQP3CS0/ref=asc_df_B00LQP3CS0/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=222086461140&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4628807664537048569&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9050372&hvtargid=pla-420890789950&psc=1

Got some Bostik Cemplas plasticiser from Screwfix and used a 5/1/1 mix of builders sand, hydrated lime and cement. I added the lime because, with a quick white vinegar test, it showed that the original mortar contained it.
Depends on the finish you want but this mix works well and dries a light sand colour. Not too strong either.