Understanding How Repointing Works

 When you purchase an older home, the piers might need repointing. If you are not an expert on older homes, it is inadvisable to attempt this process yourself. Pier and beam construction is still found in many older homes and was very popular in areas where the ground shifts.

What Is Repointing?

When you have pier and beam construction in an older home, the piers are usually brick and mortar. Over time, the mortar shrinks, chips, or cracks. Redoing the mortar and filling in the gaps is called repointing. Sometimes new piers will be added to complement the old piers.

How Are Piers Repointed?

It is not enough to slap some concrete on the piers and call it a day. Since pier and beam construction relies on a careful balancing act between the piers and joists, it is always better to speak to a foundation specialist. 

You have to consider a few things such as:

• Type of cement
• Time period built
• Pressure per square inch
• Composition
• Support requirements

The slightest miscalculation can cause the concrete to expand and compromise the integrity of your home.

What Process Is Used?

A professional will remove some but not all of the old mortar. In many cases, they do this by hand to keep from chipping the surrounding brick, causing the pier to weaken. They take out anywhere from three-quarters to one inch of mortar and replace it with a comparable mix.

Some use grinders for larger projects. Using a grinder is faster but can cause damage to the bricks and ultimate instability in the pier. 

Whenever you are dealing with foundation issues or repointing, it is always best to call in a professional foundation repair company. They will be able to tell you all of the things that need to be done to get your foundation back to its original strength.