Why Repointing Matters
Once mortar starts failing, water gets in behind it, and that's when frost damage and structural movement start doing real harm. Sound joints keep the wall watertight and hold everything together, so catching failing mortar early saves you from a much bigger repair later. It also just looks better: crumbling joints are one of the first things that make a wall look tired.
Quikpoint: A Faster Way to Repoint Brickwork
Our Quikpoint pointing gun delivers mortar straight into the joint under power, which is a different job to hawk and trowel. Less mortar ends up smeared across the brick face, which matters on facing brickwork where a clean edge is hard to recover once it stains. It's also considerably easier on the wrist and arm over a long session, and Quikpoint now works with cordless drills as well as corded, so you're not tied to a lead across a scaffold or ladder.
For the corners a power tool can't reach, our Manual Pointing Gun loads with a scoop or trowel and handles tight spots and overhead pointing where Quikpoint can't get in.
Both handle flush, recessed, weather-struck and bucket handle finishes, so the tool isn't the limiting factor whatever finish the property calls for.
The Quickpoint System
Pointing has always been a highly labour intensive, slow and frequently tedious task which few builders relish. Furthermore, in recent years labour costs have escalated substantially, making Pointing relatively more expensive than ever. The Quikpoint system addresses this problem head-on by providing you with a powered system that is inexpensive, easy-to-use and simple to maintain:
- 5 to 8 x faster than trowel
- Saves 1000s of pounds on labour
- Easy to learn and use
- Clean, accurate, no waste
- Works on brick and stone
- Horizontal and vertical joints
- Interchangeable nozzle sizes
Getting the Mortar Right
The tool is only half the job. Our Coloured Pointing Mortar comes in lime-based and cement mixes. Lime-based is the one to reach for on older properties: it's breathable and forgiving on soft clay brick and stone, which is exactly what heritage and traditional buildings need and hard cement mortar can damage. For new-build work where colour needs to match across a whole elevation, the same mortar is formulated for consistent uniform colour. It's also refined to run cleanly through the Quikpoint auger without jamming, unlike site-mixed sand and cement.
Once the joints are sound, it's worth protecting the wall itself too. A breathable masonry water repellent keeps rain out of the brick and stone without trapping moisture in, so the new pointing has less water to fight in the first place.
Common Repointing Mistakes to Avoid
A few things catch people out on a first repointing job:
- Not raking out deep enough. Joints should typically come out to at least 15 to 20mm, or twice the joint width, or the new mortar won't bond properly and fails early.
- The wrong mix for the wall. Hard cement mortar on soft or older brick can crack the bricks themselves rather than the joint, which is the opposite of what you want. Older properties usually need lime.
- Working in the wrong weather. Cold weather stops mortar curing properly, and hot, drying wind can shrink and crack it before it has set.
- Letting it dry too fast. Rapid drying weakens the bond, so keep it out of direct sun and wind while it cures, especially on a warm day.
Using a mortar gun with good control cuts down on most of these, since it puts less excess mortar on the brick face to begin with and gives you a more consistent fill.
Why Buy From Kingfisher
We’re a family-run business, manufacturing pointing and building products in the Lake District since 1988. Everything is made here in the UK, and we’re ISO 9001 certified, so you're buying from people who know these products inside out. If you’re not sure whether your wall needs lime or cement mortar, or which gun suits the job, our technical team is happy to talk it through before you buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is repointing?
Repointing means raking out old, failing mortar from between the bricks and replacing it with fresh mortar. It restores the joint's strength, keeps water out of the wall, and stops the damp and frost damage that follow once mortar starts to go.
When does a wall need repointing?
Look for mortar that is crumbling, cracking or missing, damp patches on the wall, or joints soft enough to scrape out with a fingernail. Catching it early is cheaper than waiting, since water getting behind failed mortar leads to frost damage and, eventually, structural repairs.
Can I repoint brickwork myself?
Small areas are well within reach for a confident DIYer with the right tools. A whole elevation, or an older or listed property, is where it is worth getting a professional in, mainly to get the mortar mix and finish right rather than the physical work itself.
Do I need lime mortar or cement mortar?
Older properties, and anything in soft clay brick or stone, need a breathable lime mortar, since hard cement mortar can trap moisture and damage the masonry. Modern brick and blockwork generally take cement mortar. If you are not sure which your property needs, ask us before you buy.
Is a mortar gun better than a trowel?
For anything beyond a few joints, yes. A gun gives you controlled delivery straight into the joint, so there is less mess, less wasted mortar, and a more consistent finish, especially on vertical joints where a trowel is harder to control.
