o/t - brick repointing

[Asterix]

Because I can't find a builder who I trust to know what they are doing and am itching to get the car back in the garage, am intending to spend this weekend repointing the inside walls of the garage (about 50 metres squared).

According to various web resources, "it doesn't look difficult" (famous last words).

Any tips/ hints/ suggestions gratefully welcomed.

[Simeon]

Look at from this point of view. The majority of builders are'nt the sharpest tools shed which indicates most building type work is'nt that difficult. The only difference between you and them is they've had practice and can do it a lot quicker. Just take your time and you will be surprised at the finish you can acheive. For pointing, i would think you need a soft mix probably 3 to 1 (soft sand to cement). Use a plasterer's float and a pointing trowel. Use back side of the trowel and force cement into the gaps using the edge. Do a line of about five foot then finish off by running the trowel down the line.

I'm not a builder but I built my own double garage which took me about eight weeks and only cost me £3000. I wonder how much a builder would have charged

[pistonbroke]

Just done my bungalow for the same reasons , worst bit was chasing out the old morter to a depth suitable to accept the new stuff ( I used an angle grinder and masonary disc ) clouds of choking dust so you would need good goggles and face mask for starters , otherwise cold steel chisel and a big hammer does the job .

Putting the new stuff back on required patience to get it looking right , ther's plenty stuff on't interweb if you care to "do a search" stuff about finishing off etc.

The mortor mix I used was 3 to 1 sand and cement plus I added a "plastisizer" which makes the mortor more buttery and easier to use .

You will need a mortor board ( I made my own from a small square of plywood with a short lenght of broom handle nailed to the center ) and a pointing trowel.

I found it pretty time consuming work , much more boring than difficult

Take your time and dont try to do to much in one go !

HTH

[RedditchJay]

I was going to answer but pistonbroke has it spot on.....

dusty work but not impossible and takes time....time....time.... rush it and will look s***e.... force the motor in and get the air gaps out.... make it water tight

[dombanks]

isnt there a tool to do this with a silly name like a "fenchmans chuff" or summat to get pointing nice?

[Simeon]

isnt there a tool to do this with a silly name like a "fenchmans chuff" or summat to get pointing nice?

Dom

Your'e getting your websites mixed up again. This is not the Ann Summers website      

[Asterix]

ta all, re. angle grinder, any reason why you shouldn't use a grinding disc on a drill.

It won't need much grinding (you wouldn't believe how s**t the mortaring is).

[John Loudon - Sponsorship Liaison]

Simples.

Grind out old / loose mortar.

Buy one of these

Mix some mortar up using plastering sand (rather than building sand) to a suitable consistency

The rest is obvious given what you buy in step 2  

[carpetstu]

To round the new mortar off use a piece of soft hose pipe.

[Paul Hurdsfield - Joint Manchester AO]

A short piece of copper pipe, bend it to a suitable angle, hammer the end flat, then round to desired radius , theres your pointing tool  

[daveblissett]

if you want to borow the tools i have them

i am in gedling are you still local

cheers

dave

[Asterix]

if you want to borow the tools i have them

i am in gedling are you still local

cheers

dave

Dave, that would be very kind.

Can go past Gedling tomorrow afternoon/ early evening - can you PM me your address and moby and I call to arrange.

Peter

[slater]

QUOTE

Look at from this point of view. The majority of builders are'nt the sharpest tools shed which indicates most building type work is'nt that difficult.

Want to try a day or two to see how difficult it is we are not all thickos.

dont use an angle grinder if you are doing the inside of the garage, there is a special grinder that you can use, same as a grinder but uses a bit to chase out so very little dust. Mortar 3-1 sand portland cement add plasticiser or a squirt of washing up liquid. most internal walls are bag pointed but you can use a piece of hose do a square metre at a time. Its the most boring job going, (thats why most builders dont want it) suits us thick builders a treat

[Asterix]

Look at from this point of view. The majority of builders are'nt the sharpest tools shed which indicates most building type work is'nt that difficult.

Want to try a day or two to see how difficult it is we are not all thickos.

dont use an angle grinder if you are doing the inside of the garage, there is a special grinder that you can use, same as a grinder but uses a bit to chase out so very little dust. Mortar 3-1 sand portland cement add plasticiser or a squirt of washing up liquid. most internal walls are bag pointed but you can use a piece of hose do a square metre at a time. Its the most boring job going, (thats why most builders dont want it) suits us thick builders a treat

ta...can you get the "special bit" as a drill attachment?

If yes, what's the technical term for the bit?

[Paul Hurdsfield - Joint Manchester AO]

Look at from this point of view. The majority of builders are'nt the sharpest tools shed which indicates most building type work is'nt that difficult.

Want to try a day or two to see how difficult it is we are not all thickos.

I agree with Slater here, I've been in the Building Trade for 45 years, served a proper apprenticeship, the trouble with the Building Trade is all the chancers who think it looks easy and think they can do it  

Y'know the type, they put up a couple of shelves at home, 3 weeks later the shelves have'nt fell down so they think "oh yes this is easy I'll go and be a Joiner"