Repointing Harlesden Greater London (NW10): All properties in Harlesden require a bit of maintenance every now and then. You should never ignore the signs if the brickwork on your home in Harlesden is starting to look shabby, and you've noticed that the mortar joints are crumbling or cracking. The most effective solution would be to employ a brick repointing specialist in Harlesden, to keep your property properly watertight and get your tatty brickwork back into tip top shape.
You must remember that any home is only as strong as the bricks and mortar that hold it together. To keep a home dry and warm the mortar needs to be in good enough condition to stop any draughts and dampness from forcing its way in through holes or gaps. But exactly how can you tell whether your home needs repointing or not?
Take a close look at your mortar and bricks, and see if you can spot any clear and visible damage. If you find damage or sections that look distinctly different to the remainder of the building, you may need to contact a local repointing contractor for further investigation. It may be necessary to consult a professional to inspect hard to reach and remote places like chimney stacks or under eaves, however in the majority of properties you should be able to spot any signs of damage relatively easily.
When your house in Harlesden needs repointing, it is not only the aesthetics that need to be considered, there are also safety issues that need to be taken into account. Mortar is the "glue" that binds everything together in any Harlesden property, and if it is in a poor state of repair it can affect the stability of a structure. In homes with chimney stacks and taller structures, any weakness in the framework of the building can have alarming implications in respect to property damages and the risk of injury.
If brickwork has been damaged or weakened over the years and is the root cause of the problems with your mortar joints it may have to be removed and replaced. It's crucial that you hire a trustworthy brick repointing company in Harlesden, so they can replace or repair any defective sections of brickwork before the repointing is undertaken. This will guarantee a perfect finish to your property, and no nasty surprises later on.
Numerous Harlesden houses in the past had their external walls rendered with plaster or painted to help shield the brickwork. If you start to discover cracks, flaking or bubbling of the render or paint it could point to more severe damage under the surface coating. To avoid the deterioration spreading and triggering more severe issues in the future, it is advisable to seek the help of a repointing and brickwork specialist who can figure out the cause of the problem. By employing a qualified and reputable repointing contractor you'll keep the exterior walls of your property in the best condition possible.
WHAT STEPS ARE REQUIRED IN REPOINTING BRICKWORK IN HARLESDEN?
Repointing is a time consuming process and may entail working up high, depending on your property type. The first thing a repointing specialist will do is a visual survey to evaluate the severity of the damage to your brickwork. This inspection will allow them to provide you with a price quote for the necessary work. The same level of service will not be provided by all repointing specialists in Harlesden, so make an effort to obtain a minimum of three estimates, and diligently consider each of them. Remember, cheapest isn't always best!
If the surveyor who did the original survey was unable to view and inspect some of the more out-of-reach parts of your property, a ladder or even scaffolding could be necessary to complete a far more thorough examination. It might be that this more detailed survey might uncover further problems that could cause the initial quotation to increase. If your property in Harlesden was built over sixty years ago and has never been repointed previously then it's likely to require additional work when compared with a more current dwelling.
Once the problem areas have been identified and agreed with the house owner, repointing work can begin. Most homes will need to have scaffolding erected to establish a secure platform for the bricklayer. The exterior of the scaffold can then have protective shielding fitted to it. This could be polythene sheeting to collect any dirt and debris that's created during the repair work.
Any pipework will have to be removed or adjusted to allow access to the brickwork behind, as will all external wiring, such as TV or satellite. These can all be re-attached as soon as the project has been completed.
A lot of properties in Harlesden are either pebble-dashed, rendered or painted, and if this is the case with your dwelling, these decorative coverings will have to be stripped off so that the pointing specialists can get to the brickwork. When this has been done the brickwork is diligently cleaned and sanded to provide an even surface to work on.
An experienced Harlesden repointing company will be happy to mock up a test panel on your brickwork in order to help you to settle on the various designs available for the mortar, (Flush, Weather Struck, Recessed or Tuck pointing). This small test panel will enable you to visualise how each design compares to each other and also which one fits the style of your house best.
The joints in the brickwork are now raked out to remove the old mortar and clear the gaps between the bricks. This is an incredibly time consuming process and involves the grinding or chipping away of old mortar and brushing out all the dust and loose debris to provide a nice, clean surface for the application of new mortar. Any window and door openings will be paid extra care by the repointing team to prevent any surplus applications of mortar or disturbances of the frames which can cause issues with their closing and opening.
Once the joints have been cleaned, the brickwork will be damped down to help prevent the new mortar from drying out too quickly and subsequently cracking. This keeps the mortar flexible and enables it to dry out at a gentler pace to prevent cracking, which can lead to a weak joint. When it has dried sufficiently it's time to clean off any excess mortar and smears from the adjacent bricks. The walls will be divided into areas, and each will be pointed, allowed to dry, and then cleaned off before the team get on with the next section of brickwork.
If any brick replacement, chimney repairs or lead flashing work needs doing by the repointing company during the work, now is the time when these repairs will be carried out.
After cleaning the brickwork for one final time, to achieve a uniform appearance, any plaster rendering or painting of the completed wall surfaces can take place. The cables and pipes will be re-attached and the final stage of the repointing project will be to dismantle the scaffold and dispose of all building waste and debris.
Your repointing and brick repair ought to last for another fifty to sixty years as long as it is accomplished by a qualified and reputable repointing company in Harlesden. They should also provide you with a guarantee to their work and be supported by professional qualifications and certifications in the construction industry.
If a company has accreditation or qualifications from associations such as the National House Building Council (NHBC), the National Federation of Building Contractors (NFBC) and the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), you can be confident you're using the services of a respected and experienced business. Every person who works on repairing and repointing your property is also required to be signed up to the Construction Skills Certification Scheme and be able to confirm their skills and ability by showing an appropriate CSCS card.
It is not just in Harlesden where you're able to access repointing specialists - neighbouring places like: Notting Hill, West Kilburn, Brent Park, Park Royal, Dollis Hill, Maida Vale, Kensal Town, Shepherd's Bush, Ladbroke Grove, College Park, North Kensington are also covered. Repointing contractors from Harlesden will usually have the postcode NW10 and the telephone dialling code 020.
Ridge Tile Repointing Harlesden
Ridge tiles and mortar joints should be examined at least once every two years. Repointing simple mortar cracks can prevent leaking roofs and expensive re-roofing jobs in Harlesden. Pay extra attention to ridge tiles since they're exposed to weathering from all sides and may exhibit mortar cracks before other tiles on the roof. If cracks are discovered 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 an appropriate 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 is a better idea to rebed the whole tile rather than repointing. If you repoint a tile that is no longer firmly bedded, the repair won't last very long and the crack will quickly reappear.
Safety is the important thing to remember when repointing in Harlesden. When working on the roof, be sure to tie off a ladder to a sturdy structure. As well as thinking about your own safety on the roof, it is also advisable to set up a roped-off area on the ground, wherever falling objects may land. Repointing ridge tiles is the same process as repointing brick or block work. Once you are secured, use a metal spike to rake out mortar in joints you determine need repointing. Dampen the joint, apply mortar, and use a pointing trowel to smooth the joints between the ridge tiles.
Of course, at times a ridge tile has to be rebedded instead of repointed which requires a touch more work. Again, ensure that you use all safety precautions while working on the roof. 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. Once the ridge tile is off, replacing the ridge iron is a good idea, especially if there's any evidence of rust. Remove any organic matter such as moss and algae 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 proceed. Put mortar on both sides of the tile and use a trowel to lay a bed of mortar on the roof. Place the tile on the mortar bed and press down. Remove any mortar that seeps out between joints. Ensure the joint gaps are filled, and smooth joints with pointing trowel.
The integrity of the roof protects your greatest investment from weather damage in Harlesden. Checking and repointing your roof before cracks enable water to penetrate into your house, are simple ways to save cash.
Brickwork Crack Stitching
When there are substantial cracks in brick structures, they can frequently be repaired using a technique called brick crack stitching. In order to reinforce the affected area's mortar bed and provide extra support to the brickwork structure, stainless steel rods are inserted and secured with a special grout. The primary goal of this approach is to strengthen the affected brickwork, ensuring that it is well-supported and protected from cracking in the future. The rods used in this process are specifically designed to flex, enabling them to adjust to the movement of the brickwork and absorb extra stresses. By employing the crack stitching process, cracks in brickwork structures, including bridges, chimneys, arches and walls, can be successfully repaired, resulting in increased structural integrity. The application of this procedure offers an efficient and simple solution to a widespread problem in brick-built structures and can result in a significant extension of the structure's longevity. The practicality and reliability of brickwork crack stitching make it a popular choice for builders and property owners seeking an effective solution to fix cracks in brick buildings and structures.
Chimney Repointing Harlesden
Chimneys are frequently overlooked when it comes to property maintenance, however a chimney which is falling into disrepair can be a costly issue. During an initial inspection of your chimney in Harlesden, a specialist could recommend repointing or even a complete rebuild of your chimney, according to the size of the damaged and affected area. Chimney repointing by a professional will re-establish the stability of your chimney by replacing the crumbling, old mortar with fresh, new material. In many cases this should avert the requirement for a full chimney rebuild and give you many more years of peace of mind. Having your chimney in Harlesden repointed also helps to prevent damage to the inside surfaces of your chimney stack, by stopping moisture from seeping through the holes and cracks in the mortar. Most recently built chimneys will be steel lined and if this liner comes into contact with moisture, it reduces its lifespan. As soon as repointing has been completed, an external sealant should be applied which repels water and allows any internal moisture to be released. (Tags: Pointing Chimneys Harlesden, Repointing Chimneys Harlesden, Chimney Pointing Harlesden, Chimney Repointing Harlesden).
Colour Matching Mortar
In any brick restoration or repointing project in Harlesden, the need for mortar colour matching is of vital importance. The goal is to blend the new mortar with the existing one to maintain a uniform appearance and respect the original appearance of the structure. This calls for the meticulous choice of the correct type and colour of sand, cement, and any utilised additives. To conduct this procedure, one needs a discerning outlook and a good understanding of how the materials involved behave and evolve over the course of time. If the mortar is mismatched, it can tarnish the overall look of the structure, hence the need for colour matching by a specialist in successful repointing. The building's historical and aesthetic essence is maintained when correct mortar colour matching is used, allowing the restored sections to blend seamlessly with the untouched parts. (44478 - Mortar Colour Matching Harlesden)
Harlesden Repointing Tasks
Just Some of the Tasks That a Repointing Specialist Can Do
There are a whole host of tasks that can be completed by your local Harlesden repointing specialist including rubble masonry, patch repointing Harlesden, bucket handle pointing and repointing, brickwork crack stitching, stone wall repointing, brick joint repointing, brickwork repointing, crack injection, chimney repointing Harlesden, fireplace restoration, repairs to cracked brickwork, the restoration of damaged brickwork, the repointing of chimney stacks, roof verge repointing Harlesden, tuck pointing, masonry and brick decorating, the repointing of patios in Harlesden, the replacement of damaged brickwork, crack repairs to brickwork, ribbon pointing, domestic repointing Harlesden, valley repointing, ridge tile repointing Harlesden, slab repointing Harlesden, masonry restoration in Harlesden, bed joint reinforcement in Harlesden, brickwork joints raking and repointing, dry verge system installation in Harlesden, facade restoration in Harlesden, repointing services Harlesden, the repointing of stone walls, brickwork paint removal, brick & mortar tinting, pointing and re-pointing mortar joints, weather struck pointing and re-pointing, and repointing scaffolds. These are just a handful of the activities that are handled by local experts in brick repointing. Harlesden professionals will be delighted to keep you abreast of their whole range of services.
Skip Hire Harlesden
When you are doing any sort of home improvements or garden makeovers in Harlesden, there's probably going to be quite a bit of waste created. Even though repointing work is not one of those jobs that usually creates a lot of waste, that's not always the case, and it will depend on the scale of your installation. Although some tradesmen will be glad to take away any waste, many will leave it for you to deal with.
If this job is being left for you to do, you could consider hiring a skip. Skips come in various sizes depending on your needs, and picking which skip to hire is vital. The different sizes of skip include mini-skips, midi-skips, builders skips and roll-on-roll-off skips, and for different projects skip bags are also available.
To check the current prices of skip hire in Harlesden GO HERE.
Repointing Specialists Near Harlesden
Also find: Maida Vale repointing, Kensal Town repointing, Shepherd's Bush repointing, Brent Park repointing, Dollis Hill repointing, Park Royal repointing, Ladbroke Grove repointing, Notting Hill repointing, North Kensington repointing, College Park repointing, West Kilburn repointing and more. Builders who do repointing can be found in pretty much all of these localities. These highly skilled specialists possess the expertise to restore your brickwork to its former glory, making it look as good as new. Professional assistance might be what you need if your brickwork is looking aged and shabby, to help bring it back to its best. By simply clicking here, repointing quotes are readily accessible to local property owners.
Repointing Specialist Services Harlesden
- Chimney Repointing
- Gable End Repointing
- Commercial Repointing
- Roof Repointing
- Brick Repointing
- Cheap Repointing
- Brickwork Repointing
- Ribbon Pointing
- Mortar Raking
- Slab Repointing
- Repointing
- Lime Mortar Repointing
- House Repointing
- Brick Step Repointing
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Harlesden Repointing Jobs: See repointing jobs near Harlesden here: Harlesden Repointing Jobs
Repointing in NW10 area, phone code 020.
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