Removing excess mortar after repointing

[gromit]

Hi
Does anyone know the best way to remove excess mortar used in repointing a small section of old brickwork. It is mainly over the face of the bricks.

Thanks

Paul

 

[joe-90]

Brush off what you can then use an acidic brick cleaner.

 

[^woody^]

When repointing, excess mortar is cut off with the edge of the trowel.

If this "excess" mortar is really mortar smudged all over the bricks, then you may need acid

 

[gromit]

Hi

Thanks for the advice.

I will try the acidic brick cleaner, as it is just smudging on the bricks.

Paul

 

[noseall]

The only problem with acid is it accelerates the weathering process of the pointing as well as removing smudges.

Provided there was plenty of cement in the mix and it was tooled in tight then the acid will only open up the grain a bit.