18 April 2016

Wall Ties, Brick Stitching, Pointing. What are they?

These are some of the things that bond your house together

 

   Cracked wall

 

There will come a time when the mortar between the bricks of your house will need replacing, commonly known as repointing. This involves raking out the loose mortar to a depth of approximately 12m/m and replacing it. The main factors that can lead to the decaying of the pointing are time and the weather. As time passes, the structure begins to wear and get older. When you add the weather conditions of the United Kingdom with the age, this process escalates considerably.

 

The problem with defective pointing is driving rain penetrates the soft mortar and causes internal damp and damage which can also lead to decay, including Dry-Rot.  In addition to this, the mortar serves to provide structural integrity to your home. If there are issues with it, then you shouldn’t ignore it, or things can go from bad to worse. Before you know it, bricks can start being displaced and you have some major structural issues on your hands which could lead to major structural repairs and be very expensive.

 

As a part of our specialist damp proofing Tapco Homedry undertake the repointing of many properties which we carry out in accordance with good building practice. There a different finishes with the ‘striking’ of the mortar joint and different colours, depending on when the property was built. This needs to be matched correctly in order to suit the property and look it’s best. For example older listed building need to be pointed with a lime based mortar as instructed by English Heritage.

 

Re-pointing should only be done by a conscientious professional company like Tapco HomeDry. Tapco’s Property Maintenance services not only covers re-pointing but a range of wall repairs such as structural wall tie (Stitching) incorporating stainless steel Helical bars which are installed into the wall using a resin and mortar. We also instil Cavity Wall Ties which is carried out by driving new stainless steel ties into the walls to bind the two courses of bricks together. Whichever problem you may have it is important that you have it carried out professionally because the structure of your property could depend on it. Do it Once, Do it Right call Tapco HomeDry first.

 

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