Repointing Masonry for Dummies - The Freelance Files MMCCLXIII

repointing stone

Like many homeowners in the era of YouTube tutorials, our staffers often research DIY home repairs before deciding to call in a professional. Unlike many of their neighbors, the majority of the folks who write for the Antisocial Network aren't afraid to tackle simple- or intermediate-level projects – which leaves out roofing and remodeling an entire kitchen. One of them recently looked into repointing some brickwork and, is their wont, decided to check on the topic at the mother lode of misinformation, eHow.com. As expected, the topic had been discussed, and by a familiar name. Let's see whether HomeSteady.com writer G. K. Bayne knew what she was talking about in "How to Repoint a Stone Fireplace." Here's a hint: based on her three previous appearances, we rather doubted it...

Right off the bat Bayne, a pseudonym for the fiction writer Kat Yares, demonstrated not only a tenuous grasp of the task at hand but also an apparent disdain of proofreading¹:

"Over time, all mortar joints will soon begin to weaken and give way. Repointing a stone fireplace is a simple task by following [sic] simple steps."

We strenuously question Bayne's assertion that mortar joints "soon... weaken and give way"; especially the "soon" bit. Perhaps GK wasn't familiar with the word "eventually"? Whatever the case, repointing is a task that will eventually befall anyone who owns a historic brick building, even just a brick chimney. All of which means that repointing masonry, whether brick or stone, is a necessary part of home maintenance. Unfortunately, her instructions wouldn't be much help.

According to the text, the would-be repointer needs, among other tools,

"Mortar chisel... Small paint brush... Step ladder... Wheel barrow [sic]... Hoe... Mortar ready mix... Small shovel..."

Strangely, most masons would begin any discussion of the methods by discussing the type of mortar to use. Not so GK, who probably had no idea there are different formulations. Too, a pro would likely suggest the use of an angle grinder and compressed air to remove old mortar; definitely not a generic "mortar chisel" and a "Small paint brush." Whether a stepladder is necessary would depend, we guess; but everyone here was taken. aback by the whole "wheelbarrow + hoe + shovel" notion. Sure enough, Bayne told her readers to,

"Mix the mortar ready mix according to the bags [sic] instructions using the hoe and wheelbarrow. Mix only a small amount at a time as the mix will have a tendency to dry out and loose it [sic] bonding strength before you can use it."

If one is only going to "Mix only a small amount," then a wheelbarrow and hoe probably aren't the best idea. We imagine that mixing in a tray or on a mason's hawk (another unfamiliar term for GK) would be a more sensible procedure. When it comes to the actual pointing process – packing new mortar into the gaps – GK instructed her victims errr, readers, to,

"...use the mortar point to carefully push the mix into the joints you have cleaned out."

We still don't know what a "mortar point" is. Perhaps she meant a pointing trowel or a tuck pointing tool? And what's the reason for the "Small shovel"? Enquiring minds want to know...

No, it's quite clear from the mashup of general masonry and repointing instructions that GK/Kat had no earthly idea what she was talking about. Given that she'd already been a Dumbass of the Day three times, that we know of (there are surely more), that comes as no surprise.

¹ One wonders what happened to the vaunted copy editor system at eHow when this one was published. Even a quick perusal yielded half a dozen grammatical errors.

DDIY - MASONRY