Repointing Kilkeel Northern Ireland (BT34): At some stage every building in the Kilkeel area will need some maintenance and repair, whether it's a commercial property or a residential house. You should never ignore the signals if the brickwork on your home in Kilkeel is starting to look untidy, and you have discovered that the mortar joints are cracking and crumbling away. To find an effective solution to repoint your brickwork and ensure that it stays watertight, you'll have to bring in a professional brick repointing company in Kilkeel.
The mortar and bricks are what make a property strong enough to withstand the elements. To keep a property warm and dry the mortar must be in good enough condition to prevent any dampness or draughts from forcing their way in through gaps or holes. But how can you recognise when your home needs repointing?
Basically, you need to take a close look at the state of the mortar and bricks of your exterior walls. Repointing work is typically necessary if you're able to visually spot a problem area. In awkward places which are hidden or remote, for instance on chimneys or under eaves; you may need an expert to assist you, however in most scenarios you will easily be able to spot any physical signs of damage for yourself.
Crumbling mortar doesn't only look bad, it can cause safety issues too. The structural integrity of any Kilkeel home is only as strong as its mortar and bricks. A property can become unsound if it's structure is compromised in this way, and it can cause severe damage or even danger to life, particularly when evident in taller properties or chimneys.
If some of your brickwork has been damaged or weakened over the years and is thought to be the main cause of the problems with your mortar joints it may have to be replaced. In order to restore the brickwork whilst doing the repointing, a reliable brick repointing company in Kilkeel will be able to determine any sections that require possible replacement.
Many Kilkeel homes in the past had their external walls plasterered over or painted to help protect the brickwork. If you start to notice bubbling, cracks or flaking of the plaster or paint it could all point to more severe damage underneath. Inspection of this problem, by a repointing specialist is the only reliable way to make sure the damage does not spread further and cause structural issues as time goes on. You can then be secure in the knowledge that your exterior walls are in the best condition possible, and that the renovation work has been completed by an expert.
WHAT STEPS ARE REQUIRED IN REPOINTING BRICKWORK IN KILKEEL?
Subject to the sort of property you've got, repointing may entail working up high, and can be a fairly lengthy process. To allow a repointing specialist to accurately assess the repair work that's required on your home they will firstly have to undertake an eyes-on survey. A survey is the best way by which a repointing contractor can give you a quotation for the level of work that's required on your unsound brickwork. The same standard of service won't be provided by all repointing companies in Kilkeel, so make sure that you get a minimum of three quotes, and consider each one carefully.
If you've got out-of-reach areas of your house that couldn't be assessed in the original site survey, a further inspection with long ladders and maybe scaffolding could be needed. Supplementary charges may be added to the initial quotation, if this more in depth investigation reveals further issues. If your Kilkeel property has never been repointed and was built more than 60 years ago, the chances are that it will need more remedial work than a modern property would.
Reparation work can commence once the issues have been identified. In order to have a solid platform while refurbishing your house, the likelihood is that a repointing company will need to have some scaffolding erected. An arrangement of protective sheeting or shielding should then be secured to the exterior of the scaffold. The purpose of this is to lessen the danger of injury to people in the immediate area, and avoid damage to property from falling debris or mortar dust.
To allow ease of access to all of the brickwork, any conduits, wires and downpipes that are fixed to the wall will have to be adjusted or removed. This is of course only temporary and they'll be returned to their original position when all reparation work has been finished.
So that your repointers can get access to the brick surfaces of your house in Kilkeel, any paint, rendering, pebble-dash will have to be removed from the walls prior to starting. When this has been removed the brickwork is diligently cleaned and sanded to establish an even surface to work on.
A dependable Kilkeel repointing company will be able to knock up a small test panel on your brickwork to help you to decide on the various mortar styles that are available, (Weather Struck, Recessed, Flush or Tuck pointing). This allows you to see how each would look on your home and demonstrate the different colours and styles available.
The next thing is to remove the mortar in stages by raking and scraping out the joints. This is quite a laborious procedure where the old mortar and any loose debris or dust must be carefully cleaned away to provide a good binding surface for the new mortar. Particular attention is taken around windows and doors because any movement in the brickwork may lead to issues with their closing and opening.
One thing that needs to be avoided is the rapid drying out of the new mortar, and this can be prevented by dampening down the walls. This delayed drying time stops the mortar from cracking and becoming inflexible, which can bring about a compromised joint. Any excess mortar and smears that are left on the brickwork can be cleaned off once the mortar is properly dry. The walls will be split into areas, and each one in turn will be pointed, left to dry, and then cleaned before the repointers get on with a new section.
At this point the need for any chimney repairs, lead flashing replacement or brick replacement will be carried out by the contractor.
After cleaning the brickwork for one final time, to achieve a uniform appearance over the whole area, any re-painting or rendering of the finished wall surfaces can take place. The cables and pipes will be re-attached and the final phase of the project will be to dismantle the work platforms and scaffolding and dispose of all building waste and debris.
An experienced Kilkeel repointing and brick repair company will provide a service that will last up to 60 years. Guarantees should be offered for the repointing work and they should have an affiliation with manufacturers and providers from the construction industry giving cover for defective materials.
If a repointing company has accreditation or qualifications from trade associations like the National House Building Council, the Federation of Master Builders and the National Federation of Building Contractors, you can be confident you are dealing with a professional and trustworthy provider. Every person who carries out work on repairing and repointing your brickwork should additionally be signed up to the Construction Skills Certification Scheme and be willing to confirm their skills and ability by producing their CSCS card.
Repointing work can be done in Kilkeel and also in nearby places like: Omeath, Dunnaval, Ballinran, Annalong, Mayobridge, Rostrevor, Greencastle, Hilltown, Glasdrumman, Attical, Ballyoonan, Lisnacree, Mullartown, Ballymartin, Burren, and in these postcodes BT34 4DX, BT34 4AD, BT34 4FJ, , BT34 4DF, BT34 4GL, BT34 4EL, BT34 4FY, BT34 4EH, and BT34 4HH. If a repointing contractor has the postcode BT34 and the telephone dialling code 028, it is a good bet that they work in the Kilkeel area.
Ridge Tile Repointing Kilkeel
Roof tiles and mortar joints should be inspected at least once every two years. Repointing simple mortar cracks can prevent leaking roofs and costly re-roofing jobs in Kilkeel. Pay close attention to ridge tiles since they're exposed to weathering from all sides and may develop cracks in the mortar joints before other tiles on the roof. If you discover cracks in the mortar between ridge tiles, the options are rebed the ridge tile or repoint the joints.
If the cracks are small and the tile seems firmly bedded, repointing the mortar is a satisfactory option. If the cracks in the mortar are as wide as the mortar joint and there seems to be some movement in the ridge tile, it's a better idea to rebed the whole tile instead of repointing. If you repoint a tile which is no longer snugly bedded, the repair won't last very long and the reappearance of the crack is inevitable.
Of course, from time to time a ridge tile has to be rebedded instead of repointed which requires a little more work. Again, ensure that you follow all safety precautions whilst working at height. Use a hammer and chisel to remove the mortar as well as the ridge tile. Use the hammer and chisel to remove the mortar from the bed on the roof, and mortar from the bottom of the ridge tile. As soon as the ridge tile is off, replacing the ridge iron is a good idea, particularly if there's any sign of rust. Remove any organic matter such as moss and lichen and spray on a fungicide to ensure the area is protected in the future. Then soak the area in water while mixing mortar. Mix a stiff mortar in a ratio of 3:1 (sharp sand: cement). Dampen the tile and roof as you work. Mortar both sides of the tile and use a trowel to lay a bed of mortar on the roof. Place on the mortar bed and press firmly down. Remove any mortar that seeps out between joints. Make certain the joint gaps are filled, and smooth joints with pointing trowel.
The integrity of the roof protects your biggest investment from weather damage in Kilkeel. Checking and repointing your roof before cracks enable water to leak into into the house, are simple ways to save cash.
Chimney Repointing
Chimneys are frequently overlooked when it comes to property maintenance, but a chimney that's falling into disrepair can be a costly hazard. During a preliminary inspection of your chimney in Kilkeel, a bricklayer might recommend repointing or possibly a complete rebuild of your chimney, dependant upon the size of the damaged and affected area. Chimney repointing by a specialist will restore the stability of your chimney by replacing the old mortar with fresh, new material. In most cases this could avert the need for a complete chimney rebuild and give you peace of mind for years to come. Having your chimney in Kilkeel repointed also helps in preventing damage to the inside of your chimney, by stopping moisture from seeping through the cracks and gaps in the mortar. Most modern chimneys are steel lined and if this liner comes into contact with moisture, it can seriously reduce its lifespan. As soon as the repointing work has been finished, an exterior sealant should be applied which repels water and allows any internal moisture to be released. (Tags: Repointing Chimneys Kilkeel, Pointing Chimneys Kilkeel, Chimney Pointing Kilkeel, Chimney Repointing Kilkeel).
Brick Crack Stitching
When there are substantial cracks in brick structures, they can be repaired using a technique called brick crack stitching. To reinforce the affected brickwork, stainless steel rods are inserted into the mortar bed of the affected area and held in place with a specialised grouting process. The primary goal of this procedure is to strengthen the damaged brickwork, making sure that it is well-supported and protected from further cracking. The stainless steel rods used in this technique are designed to be flexible, permitting them to react to the structure's natural movements and absorb any stresses, thus preventing further damage to the impaired brickwork. This process is not limited to any specific structure and can be used for repairing cracks in a host of brickwork structures in Kilkeel, such as bridges, walls, chimneys and arches. The application of this process offers a simple and efficient solution to a common problem in brickwork structures and can result in a substantial extension of the structure's life expectancy. This technique can be used on both modern and historic buildings and is frequently favoured over other repair procedures, such as repointing or rebuilding, as it is less invasive and more cost-effective. Incorrect installation of crack stitching could have serious consequences for the building, which is why it is crucial to entrust this task to a specialist who has the necessary experience and training. The reliability and practicality of brickwork crack stitching make it a popular choice for contractors and householders seeking an effective solution to repair cracks in brick structures.
Kilkeel Repointing Tasks
Just Some of the Work That a Repointing Specialist Can Do
There are a number of different tasks that can be undertaken by your local Kilkeel repointing specialist including garden wall repointing, the re-pointing of brick joints, the repointing of stone walls, domestic repointing, masonry repairs, repointing stone walls with lime mortar, stone restoration Kilkeel, brickwork conservation, the lime pointing of stonework and brickwork Kilkeel, ridge tile repointing Kilkeel, brickwork joint raking in Kilkeel, valley repointing Kilkeel, pebble-dash removal in Kilkeel, fireplace restoration, brickwork repointing Kilkeel, pointing and repointing crazy paving, dry verge system installations, house re-pointing, ribbon pointing and re-pointing Kilkeel, restorations to damaged brickwork, brickwork crack repairs, lintel replacement, mortar raking, gable end repointing Kilkeel, tile repointing Kilkeel, mortar joint repointing, brick joint restoration in Kilkeel, lime mortar pointing, the repointing of chimneys Kilkeel, stone wall repointing, pointing mortar joints, repointing of brickwork, chimney repointing Kilkeel, ridge tiles repointed or rebedded, masonry and brick decorating, and scaffolding hire. These are just a small portion of the duties that are handled by those specialising in brick repointing. Kilkeel professionals will inform you of their full range of services.
Repointing Specialists Near Kilkeel
Also find: Attical repointing, Rostrevor repointing, Mayobridge repointing, Ballinran repointing, Annalong repointing, Mullartown repointing, Omeath repointing, Ballyoonan repointing, Glasdrumman repointing, Hilltown repointing, Lisnacree repointing, Greencastle repointing, Dunnaval repointing, Burren repointing, Ballymartin repointing and more. The majority of these areas are catered for by contractors who do repointing. Possessing exceptional skills, these experts can transform your brick walls, restoring their original splendour. If you have some brickwork that is looking shabby and tired, why not seek professional assistance to help put it right. Local homeowners can obtain repointing estimates by going here.
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