What Is Pointing? | Keyed Pointing | Tuck Pointing

What Is Pointing?

Pointing is a method of filling joints in brick or stone masonry with materials chosen for aesthetics or to provide old mortar protection against the external environment.

In construction, masonry joints in brick pointing or stone pointing are filled in various ways for aesthetics. Different materials, tools are used for other methods of pointing. Finishing joints in brickwork construction is a necessary building process.

Although there are many types of finishing in construction, such as plastering, color washing, whitewashing, varnishing, distempering, and others, pointing is also used for aesthetics. Pointing is helpful for both new buildings and old renovation brick masonry.

‘R. According to Berry (author of The Constructions of Buildings), the terms joints and pointing are used in brick masonry. Keyed pointing is commonly used in brickwork construction.

Here, we are going to discuss types of pointing in construction.

Importance Points for Pointing In Masonry

The following conditions have been adopted for the direction,

1. Pointing work can be done with a finishing surface of the exterior brickwork using a richer mortar mixture to make the joints look better.
2. Where the outer surface does not need to be made a smooth surface.
3. Pointing can be a suitable option for designing surfaces in different patterns, thicknesses, colors, and joints.
4. Pointing is perfect for showing the natural beauty of stone blocks, brick-like materials in the walls.
5. Where pointing to stone blocks with good quality finishing materials for use in construction can be an economical option.

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Mortar for Pointing:

Lime mortar or cement mortar is commonly used for pointing

Lime Mortar For Pointing:-

Lime mortar for pointing is made by mixing fat lime and fine sand in a ratio of 1: 2. Mortar is a traditional method of repairing old buildings.

Cement Mortar for Pointing:-

Cement mortar is prepared by mixing water in cement and sand in a ratio of 1: 3 for pointing. It involves mixing cement and sand in a dry manner on a tight water platform as required.

It is advisable to use a mortar prepared for good quality for pointing within 30 minutes after adding water. Usually, a bag of cement is used to prepare the mortar for pointing.

Ready Mixed Mortar for Pointing:-

A ready-mixed mortar is a mixture of sand and cement in the required ratio. You can prepare the mix in the right consistency by simply adding water to it. Ready-mixed mortar can use ready mixed mortar with high strength in less time.

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Purpose of Pointing:-

1. Pointing work only protects the mortar joints in brickwork from the adverse effects of the environment. Different types of pointing work make the pattern, thickness, and texture of the joints in the brickwork clearly look beautiful in the wall.
2. Externally exposed masonry joints are considered to be the weakest and most vulnerable. Pointing is appropriate to prevent rainwater or moisture from entering and damaging the brickwork.
3. Pointing work strengthens joints by sealing gaps or spaces in mortar.
4. Sometimes pointing work can be done aesthetically for decorative purposes
5. It provides strong and reliable bonding against the external environment in brick/stone masonry joints.

Method of Pointing In Construction:-

The various steps to follow while doing pointing work are given below.

Usually, in brickwork construction, all the mortar joints are drilled to a depth of 15 to 20 mm with the help of a pointing tool so that the fresh mortar for pointing can be augmented with sufficient key.

All loose mortar and dust are removed from the brickwork using a wire brush. The joints of the brickwork are then washed with clean water. The joints are kept wet for a few hours before pointing work.

The joints prepared in this way are filled with a mortar prepared for pointing. The mortar is properly pressed into the joint to form a joint with the old internal mortar joints. The joints of the brickwork are rendered flush, vertical according to different types of pointing. Excess mortar on the sides is removed after pointing work.

Pointing work has become popular because of its low cost and can be done quickly. But pointing work has to be repeated from time to time.

Similarly curing should be done with water for at least ten days or three days after completion of pointing work.

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Different Type of Pointing:-

1. Keyed Pointing:-

The racked vertical or horizontal joints for this Keyed pointing are first filled flush with the face of the wall. The mortar is then jointly pressed by pointing tools, which ends well with the outer face of the masonry surface.

After that, the joints are pressed by the steel of 6 mm diameter for keyed pointing. This will create a curved arc groove in the mortar, commonly known as keyed pointing.

Steel bars are used to give a semi-circular shape for keyed pointing. This type of keyed pointing gives the wall an excellent exterior look. Keyed pointing is used especially for the best type of work for vertical joints of walls.

2. Flush Pointing:-

In this type of brickwork masonry or stone masonary joints are filled with mortar. Which is flush with the face of the wall with pointing tools. The edges of the joints are neatly trimmed with a trowel.

Finishing pointing is done with a trowel. It cannot perform well on the surface of brickwork. But this type of pointing is durable and eliminates the possibility of accumulation of dust, water, etc. Generally, flash pointing is a common type of pointing used in building construction.

3. Weathered Pointing:-

 

This type of pointing is made by projecting V-shaped joints of brickwork.

4. Struck Pointing:-

In Struck Pointing, the face of the brick work is tilted, the upper edge of the flash pointing is made by pressing about 10 mm inside the face. This type of pointing removes rainwater and is considered to be quite durable and safe.

5. Beaded Pointing:-

In this type of pointing the joints are the first flush with mortar against the face of the wall and then concave grooves are made with steel or iron rods in the center of the joint with concave edges. Although beaded pointing is good in appearance, it can be easily damaged.

6. V- Grooved Pointing:-

V pointing is constructed in the same way as keyed pointing. It also involves pressing mortar into a joint of brickwork wall of brick layer joints. After that, its joints are made into a V-shaped groove using a V-shaped tool. Hence it is called V pointing.

7. Recessed Pointing:-

Recessed pointing is generally not suitable for joints of brickwork in the external environment. Because its composition does not release water easily.

Recessed pointing are pointing the mortar by pressing 5 mm or more from the edges of the joints of the brickwork. In this type of pointing the face of the pressed pointing is kept upright. This type of pointing gives a good look for internal purpose.

8. Tuck Pointing

In tuck pointing, the mortar is flush with the face of the wall in the racked joints. When the mortar pressed in this way is still green, a narrow channel or groove is formed in the center of the joint. Its width = 5 mm and depth = 3 mm. Hence it is known as tuck pointing.

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Precautions for Pointing Work

1. Pointing work should be done when the mortar in the racked joints is green and fresh.
2. Joints should be thoroughly cleaned and moistened before repainting in old work. Because the dry surface of the mortar absorbs water from the mortar.
3. The type of mortar as well as the pointing should be chosen based on the requirements of brick pointing or stone pointing.
4. No pointing work should be done during snowy weather.
5. The joints of the pointed work should form a regular line of equal width. In case of joints in stone pointing, the stone should be designed accordingly.

Advantages of Pointing in Construction

1. Different types of pointing reinforce brick and stone masonry joints to some extent against various external weather conditions.
2. Pointing avoids cracking and shrinkage in brickwork joints in brickwork construction due to weather damage.
3. Pointing can be done to fill in the gaps between the brick / stone masonry and give a good look. So the inflow of rain water is less.
4. Tuck pointing can be used to repair and maintain defective damage in stone masonry.
5. It increases the life span of the brick wall.
6. Repointing gives an advanced finish to the structural parts of the brickwork wall.
7. It can be an economical option. This is because it requires a small amount of cement mortar.
8. It provides strong and reliable bonding against the external environment in brick / stone masonry joints.
9. Pointing work strengthens joints by sealing gaps or spaces in mortar.
10. Externally exposed masonry joints are considered to be the weakest and most vulnerable. Pointing is appropriate to prevent rainwater or moisture from entering and damaging the brickwork.

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Disadvantages of Pointing in Construction

1. It is not used for interior walls. It is used as an economical alternative in the compound wall.
2. It does not give the appearance of simple aesthetics if it is not done correctly.
3. Beaded Pointing and Tuck Pointing are likely to be damaged shortly after brick/stone masonry.
4. Pointing in brick/stone masonry can be challenging to paint.

Repointing Brickwork Cost

For brick masonry, walls up to 8 ‘can be 3 to $ 20 per square foot. If pointing for walls above 8 ‘can cost 5 to $ 25 per square foot.