Fretting Mortar: 3 Things You Should Know and How to Fix It

Do you already see signs of fretting mortar on your home? Do you want to know the best ways on how to fix it? In this short guide, we’ll guide you through the causes, indications and solutions on how to fix the problem once and for all.

First, let’s start with the signs you should look for and how to confirm if it’s truly fretting mortar.

Signs of mortar wearing away

A simple visual inspection will suffice to detect the problems. You can start by looking at the external brickwork and the cement joints. If you noticed that the mortar gets powdery or crumbling, it’s a clear sign of mortar fretting away.

Why do you have to look for those signs?

At first, those signs seem like a minor problem. However, those signs can get worse and sooner or later, the problems will become huge.

Mortar holds the foundation and connection among the bricks. If the mortar gets weak, the foundation and the connection also gets weak. This results to having a weaker structure.

As a consequence, the rows of bricks might collapse. This leads to expensive repairs or replacements which is why an urgent action must be taken.

Causes of mortar getting damaged and worn out

Through the years, mortar can wear away (especially if you’re living in coastal areas). It’s the natural course of things. However, this doesn’t always have to be the case.

Exposure to air, moisture and other elements all contribute to the fretting of mortar. To prevent these, some apply the sealer to protect the mortar. In addition, homeowners can ask for a repointing to fill in the joints (before more elements come through the weak mortar).

Repointing is the solution

That’s why many homeowners choose repointing when it comes to fixing the mortar. This is effective in making the structure stronger.

In old homes (and even in relatively new houses), repointing makes the whole brickwork stronger without the need for expensive replacements. This helps the residents save money while extending the lifespan of the whole brick structure.

Fretting mortar in your Sydney home?

At Repoint Masonry Restoration, we do brick repair and mortar repair for Sydney and NSW houses. We also do repointing, tuckpointing and heritage restoration.

Contact us today and let us help in making your brickwork stronger and last for many more years and decades.