Repointing Garden wall

[saab9002]

Hi,
We have a garden wall that goes round a patio and is between 6 and 9 courses high, I had a go at repointing it approx 4 yrs ago and thought I'd done a reasonable job, (I'm not a brickie). This winter a lot of the pointing has blown out and needs doing again, originally I raked out about 20mm then repointed using sand/cement but maybe the mix was too hard or I should have had a go with lime mortar. What in your collective opinion would be the best way to go or what mix should I use. I'm getting on a bit 72yrs old, so I'm a bit slower than I was, ie. smaller amounts of mix.
kind regards
Chris

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

Did you blast out the joints with a hosepipe before re-pointing? Nothing sticks to dust.

 

[saab9002]

Did you blast out the joints with a hosepipe before re-pointing? Nothing sticks to dust.

Hi,
No I didn't, I wrongly thought the damp in the mix would be ok, obviously not. So if I rake out again, which shouldn't be too difficult, then soak the joints before re-pointing and use a 3:1 mix of sand/cement, would that be the best way forward ?
kind regards
Chris

 

[Koolpc]

4:1 would be my choice...

 

[saab9002]

4:1 would be my choice...

Thank you Koolpc:

I will take your kind advice and use 4:1

kind regards
Chris

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

You definitely need to get rid of the dust.

It's a good thing if it's still a bit damp when you're pointing it after, it will stop it sucking the new mortar dry. Not running wet though.

 

[noseall]

Thank you Koolpc:

I will take your kind advice and use 4:1

kind regards
Chris

Just be aware that if there are any sulphates present (retaining walls holding back soil etc), you may get a recurring issue with the pointing.

 

[saab9002]

Just be aware that if there are any sulphates present (retaining walls holding back soil etc), you may get a recurring issue with the pointing.

It's a double skinned wall with about an inch gap between with the last 4 layers of bricks above the indian stone pavers and the 'inner' wall is set on the edges of the pavers and topped off with 12" wide pavers, if that makes sense.

kind regards
Chris