Can I do anything regarding badly pointed brickwork ?

[BlowingBubbles]

I was dismayed when I returned home to find a lad, day 1 on the job and never done it before, had been let loose on repointing the 3 courses of brickwork at ground level around my bungalow. He seems to have lost interest after the first few feet then made a right mess getting more on the bricks than between them. It was some time ago, and I am slowly getting other cosmetic things done with the outside as and when I can afford it.

It looks such a mess compared to the other areas of brickwork and your eye goes straight to it and I am afraid it could lose me a sale if I have to sell in the Spring. Is there anything I can do ? Thanks for any advice

 

[r896neo]

you can try going at it with mortar acid and a wire brush.

 

[amwc]

Try power washing it off first to rmove most off the brick work then acid. If the bricks are soft a wire brush will spoil it. If the washer takes some of the mortar out it is easy to put back.

 

[BlowingBubbles]

Thanks very much, I will try the "three pronged approach!", jetwash, brush and acid. It would do me a favour if it did blast out the mortar as the whole lot needs repointing anyway

 

[geraldthehamster]

Thanks very much, I will try the "three pronged approach!", jetwash, brush and acid. It would do me a favour if it did blast out the mortar as the whole lot needs repointing anyway

Brick acid will get most of it off. Let it work for a while then scrub it, apply more if neceesray, hose off when done. Wear eye protection.

Personally I wouldn't have paid for the work until it was put right.

Cheers
Richard

 

[BlowingBubbles]

Thanks Richard,

My problem was the main man came recommended as a fitter of alarm systems but also claimed to be able to do other building work including pointing and I fell for it .......

He fitted an alarm and bought along a young chum who attacked the pointing. I should have been more forceful but I am getting on a bit and not in the best of health. Not only was the pointing dreadful but the alarm system false alarmed every day for 10 days. He came back a couple of times, disconnected a sensor and said he'd be back then vanished. I have never set the alarm since. A waste of money and it will spoil the decoration in my hall and other rooms if I have it taken out.

Dealing with trades can be a bit overwhelming, and no, I didn't opt for or get a cheap job !