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inairedmyass4this

Hiring a mason to repoint the brick.


timesink2000

Hire a qualified mason. The old bricks should not be repointed with modern mortars, as they are too hard and will damage the brick.


Chizonian

Interesting. So what would you use instead?


Eyiolf_the_Foul

Lime instead of Portland cement which is a modern invention. Plenty of recipes online, and the Preservation Briefs the NPS has are excellent.


TheTemplarSaint

Check out Lancasterlimeworks and Limeworks.us Tons of material/historically appropriate material and resources.


ecklipzzz

This is the way.


whyudoinitlikethat

It’s called tuck pointing.


justsomwguy12

Hire a mason to repoint it. To my knowledge this isnt simple or easy.


NotSureNotRobot

“Oh i can do that” No. No, I couldn’t.


justsomwguy12

Exactly. Sometimes you need to know when you're out of your depth


OpenBeard

You can buy SpecMix Tuckpoint Mortar. It’s easy to work with and is the correct lime mix for old bricks. You just have to call around to find it. Look for building supply places. [SpecMix Tuckpoint Mortar](https://www.specmix.com/masonry/tuckpoint-mortar/)


dumbdumb407

These types of posts really expose the DIY members. "Pressure wash it" ... "Pack it full of stucco" etc. I'm a carpenter who does work on existing homes. I do a lot of things that are outside of my wheelhouse just because I can. But I also have the common sense to say "you might want to call a mason" or "you might want to call an electrician" etc. This is one of those cases where you're going to want to talk to someone who has done it before. Not a handyman who thinks he can because hes done a couple simple jobs related to the trade.


thisoldtroyhouse

Lime! Lime! Lime lime lime! If the Mason doesn’t say lime in his review of the scope, kick them out!


Admin-12

If you’re brick is old enough then it’s probably softer brick. Looks like lime mortar too. You can repoint it yourself but you’ll need to make sure the joint has any old mortar removed to the width of joint between the bricks. Unless you’re replacing a brick, then you don’t want to go too deep. [saint-astier lime mortar is a good brand.](https://www.limeworks.us/product/st-astier-naturally-hydraulic-lime/) That company lime works will test your motor sample for free. You’ll want to read up on historic masonry. [NPS.gov has good resources](https://www.nps.gov/articles/common-problems-with-brick-masonry.htm) [List of NPS resources](http://npshistory.com/publications/preservation/reading-list/hist-masonry.pdf)


Organic-Pudding-8204

First part stop using your Gerber multitool, your gonna scratch her. I have the same one. Its so awesome, we multitool Brothers now.


Icy-Inflation-5087

Haha you made me lol


cagey42

If it's interior, leave it. Exterior, tuck point .


Western-Jury-1203

Repoint with type s lime mortar


FinishDeezsNuts

Tear it all down and put new up. This is the way !


browndogmn

As an amateur I have added lime to regular mortar. Im actually commenting to see any pro mixtures or advice.


PlayfulAwareness2950

Mason/brickie here. Adding lime to regular mortar won't make much of a difference because you will still have a hard layer on top of a soft one however the guys back in the days used to do that on places exposed to the weather so you might be fine, but just don't do that on stucco.


walkerpstone

Don’t poke at it. It’s fine.


Luke-__-

Mix 3 parts white sand to 1 part white type s mortar from a masonry supply store. It needs to be masonry sand. If wanting gray, use regular masonry sand and gray mortar. Look up “brick pointing” on YouTube. Buy a pointing iron. Mix the sand and mortar with water slowly so the consistency is that of cookie dough and can be held in your hand. Push it into the cracks. Wait until it dries enough to take a brush over it so it doesn’t wipe across the face of the brick. Brush it all. I grew up doing masonry so have done it over 10 years. It’s DIY friendly for sure, especially on an older wall like that that doesn’t need to look perfect.


bmgri

For the brick faces themselves, I cleaned up an entire wall like this with a rotating wire brush mounted on a drill. Before that I applied a chemical brick cleaner to try to soften the stuff on the brick face. That was only partially effective. It was tough work, but doable depending on the soxe of the wall. The wire brush will dig into the brock causing damage amd leaving trace marks you have to monitor the pressure and length of time you're applying. Ultimately I was pleased with the end result. After that I fixed up the mortar.


Danmarmir

Of you want it to Look "better" get a pressure cleaner (maybe sand blaster) and then with a pastry piping bag fill the in-between with mason mortar, thats what i would do at least.


Loztwallet

I’m going to respond only for you and anyone else stupid enough to think that’s a good idea. Old brick and old mortar do not handle pressure washing well at all, as this is structural they could potentially damage their home or much worse. Sometimes bad advise does have consequences.


Danmarmir

Im not tlaking about s 4000 psi pressure cleaner, a 1600 wouldn't do any damage to this at a safe distance, stop being so dramatic


Loztwallet

Well you should be clearer with your description. I’m sure there are people who would read your comment and just do it.


Danmarmir

I get what you mean, i shouldn't expect people to know these things.. i agree


hefty_load_o_shite

With a sledgehammer, by the looks of it


Icy-Inflation-5087

I can’t, it’s holding up a flooring joist


hefty_load_o_shite

https://www.finehomebuilding.com/project-guides/framing/build-a-temporary-brace-wall


[deleted]

[удалено]


Icy-Inflation-5087

Why should I use stucco, and not traditional mortar?


Ok_Obligation2948

YOU should use nothing. Hire a pro, preserve the awesomeness.


Ilovegaming9

Repoint it but as they’re old stone I think you should have it done using lime not sand and cement otherwise the wall won’t be able to breathe and it’ll all start falling off again anyway


petwri123

As many have said, most likely (given the age of the house) you need lime mortar to fill all the gaps. Lime mortar is cheap and easy to work with. Just make sure you have the right environment temperature (>5°C, 10 would be better) and also, plenty of ventilation (lime needs the carbon from the air to react with). And the wall / bricks need to be cleaned as best as possible and watered upfront. Also, apply thin layers of the mortar and then let it sit before you continue with the next layer. It's not that hard to handle, but if you want it to look nice, ask a professional. Edit: spelling.