EXPERT REPOINTING
Brickwork and Chimney Repointing Across North West London, North London, East London and Essex
Mortar is the weakest part of any brick or stone wall, and on most older buildings it needs attention long before the bricks do. Repointing rakes out the failed mortar from between the bricks and replaces it with new mortar that restores the weather seal. We repoint walls, chimneys, ridge tiles and parapet detail across North West London, North London, East London and Essex.
Where We Repoint
External brickwork
Front elevations, side and rear walls, and party walls of all kinds.
Garden and boundary walls
Where age or moss has compromised the joints.
Chimney stacks
The brickwork itself and the flaunching at the top, where exposure causes the first failures.
Ridge tiles
Where the bedding mortar has broken down and the tiles need rebedding.
Parapet walls
And other exposed brickwork at roof level.
Stone and rubble walls
On older properties, using appropriate lime-based mortars.
Signs the Pointing Has Failed
Mortar that has reached the end of its life shows itself in several ways. The joints look recessed compared to the bricks rather than flush. Mortar crumbles when picked at with a key or screwdriver, sometimes coming out in handfuls. Vertical and horizontal joints may show hairline cracks, and damp can appear on the inside of the wall during prolonged rain. In severe cases the bricks themselves begin to move where the mortar bond has gone completely.
Pointing on ridge tiles tends to fail particularly visibly, with the bedding mortar dropping out and leaving the tiles loose. Chimney pointing is often the first part of a roof to deteriorate because of how exposed the stack sits.
Matching the Existing Mortar
A repointing job done in the wrong mortar is obvious from the street and damaging to the wall behind it. Two things have to be matched: the colour and texture of the mortar, and the strength of the mix. The colour and texture come from the sand, the cement or lime content and any additives, so we take samples and match the existing mortar as closely as possible. The strength matters even more — a mortar harder than the bricks will cause them to crack and spall, which is why soft handmade bricks need a lime-based mortar rather than ordinary Portland cement.
How the Work Is Carried Out
The failed mortar is raked out by hand or with a small grinder, to a depth of two to three times the width of the joint. The wall is then brushed clean and dampened to control how quickly the new mortar dries.
Fresh mortar is mixed in small batches, applied with the appropriate iron and finished to match the profile of the existing joints — flush, recessed, weather-struck or bucket-handled. Scaffold or a tower is used above first-floor level, and chimney pointing usually needs scaffold around the stack with a base on the roof to work safely.
Why Choose Ridgewell
Repointing is one of the jobs where the wrong contractor can do more harm than good. We are a family run business with decades of experience in masonry and roofing, and our approach to matching mortar, choosing the right mix and finishing the joints to the same profile as the original is what sets the result apart.
How We Work
We make caring for your brickwork simple. Our step-by-step process keeps you informed at every stage, from the first site visit through to the final handover.
STAGE ONE
Free Site Survey & Quotation
We visit the property, look at the wall or chimney, take samples where needed to match the mortar, and provide a detailed written quotation — no obligation and no hidden costs.
STAGE TWO
Mortar Match & Mix Specification
We assess the existing wall and specify the right mortar — matching colour and texture, and choosing a lime or cement-based mix that suits the bricks rather than damaging them.
STAGE THREE
Raking Out & Repointing
The old mortar is raked out to the correct depth, the joints are brushed and dampened, and fresh mortar is applied and finished to the original profile.
STAGE FOUR
Clean Finish & Handover
We leave the wall clean and the site tidy, and walk you through the completed pointing before we go.
Areas We Cover
Repointing is carried out across North West London, North London, East London and Essex, on properties of all ages from Victorian terraces through to modern housing.
North West London
North London
East London
Essex
Request a Simple Repointing Quote
Ready to get started on your repointing project? Photographs of the wall or chimney are particularly helpful at this stage. Complete the short form below and a member of the team will be in touch to arrange a site visit.
