What is Pointing? Types of Pointing, Purpose and Method

Pointing is a strengthening technique of brick masonry repairs or stone masonry mortar joints. If old mortar joints crack and disintegrate, then the defective mortar is removed by hand or power tool and replaced with fresh mortar, preferably of the same composition as the original.

Pointing Purpose

The pointing work protects the mortar joints from the adverse effect of the atmosphere. It improves the appearance of the wall by proving the pattern of the joint, its thickness, colors, and texture prominently.

Externally exposed masonry work joint considers as the weakest and most vulnerable spots from which rainwater or dampness can enter.

Mortar Used For Pointing

Lime mortar or cement mortar used for pointing work.

1. Lime mortar for pointing work is done by equal part of fat lime and fine sand and then grinding the mixture thoroughly, in mortar mill.
2. Cement mortar for pointing work prepared by mixing cement and sand in a proportion of 1:2 or 1:3.

Method of Pointing in Construction

Following are the steps to be followed while doing pointing work.

1. Old mortar from the joint is ranked out to a depth of at least 20mm for better bonding.
2. Remove all dust from masonry joints by using wire mesh.
3. Wash the joint surface with clean water and kept it wet for a few hours.

Fill the mortar in these joints in the desired shape to cover all joint space.

A. Press the mortar into joints with a thin trowel still; it sticks to the old mortar surface.
B. Complete all joints similarly. The water curing must be done for at least three days if lime mortar use and ten days if cement mortar use.

Pointing Types

Following are the usual types of pointing:

A. Flush Pointing

The mortar filled and pressed into a mortar joint in the flush pointing. The edges of the bricks or stones give a smooth appearance after finishing. Then the final finish is given by trimming the edges neatly with a trowel and straight edge.

Flush pointing is wiping over the finished pointing with the trowel or piece of rough cloth.

? It does make a bad appearance.
? But it is durable as it aborts the accumulation chances of dust, water, etc.
? It is the most popular type of pointing used in building construction.

B. Weathered Pointing

In Weathered Pointing, the mortar press into a joint, and while the mortar is still fresh top of the horizontal joints is neatly pressed back by 3-6 mm with the pointing tool.

C. Keyed Pointing

Trowel press into joints the mortar and well finished off with the face of the masonry surface. After that, the joint presses back by small-diameter steel lengthwise (6 mm dia). Curved arc groove forms into a mortar joint. The vertical joint also finishes similar manner.

D. V-Grooved Pointing (V Pointing)

V pointing is similar to keyed pointing work. The mortar filled and pressed into a joint. After that, the V-shaped groove is formed in the joint by use of the V shape tool.

E. Beaded Pointing

In Beaded Pointing, the mortar presses into a masonry joint, and concave grooves form into a joint using a steel tool having a concave shape. Beaded pointing gives an excellent appearance to the mortar joint but is liable to get damaged quickly.

F. Struck Pointing

In this pointing, the mortar is filled and pressed to match the face of brick masonry work, and then the top edge of the joint is pressed inside around 10 mm compared to the bottom corner. A slope from top to bottom forms so that that rain wall will drain off quickly.

G. Recessed Pointing

These types of pointing are generally not suitable for buildings in exposed situations because they do not readily shed water.

? Recessed pointing is done by pressing mortar back from edges by 5 mm or more.
? Pressed pointing face is kept vertical.
? Excellent frost resistance bricks should only be used with recessed joints.
? It gives a good appearance.

H. Tuck Pointing

? In these pointing types, the mortar joint is filled and pressed to the level surface masonry.
? While the mortar is still fresh, grooves cut in the mortar joint into the slot size of 5mm in width and 3mm in depth. Ti then fills with white cement putty, kept projecting beyond the face of the joint by 3 mm. If these projections do in a mortar, then it is called bastard pointing or half tuck pointing.

Advantages of Pointing in Construction

Restoring the condition and physical appearance of a building structure is the pointing brickwork masonry. It forms an essential overall part of ongoing building maintenance.

The following are the advantages of pointing work:

? Improve structure integrity of the building structure.
? Provide weatherproof external walls.
? Restore overall building appearance.
? The overall value of your home or property is maintained or significantly increased.
? Any ongoing maintenance on your brickwork is reduced.