Brick repointing: a guide for pros

What customers ask, how to win the job, and what to put on your profile.

Offering brick repointing

Repointing is a skilled, repeat-friendly job, and customers judge it on how well the joints match and how long they hold. Win the work by testing the brick and matching the mortar, then showing the result on a sample before you start the wall.

What customers ask

  • Will the new joints match the rest of my wall?
  • Why do you need to test the brick first?
  • How long will the repointing last?
  • Can you do just the bad areas or the whole wall?
  • How long before the wall can be exposed to rain or freezing?
  • Will the new mortar damage my brick?

How to win the job

  • On the first call, ask the age of the house, the brick type if known, and whether there has been water getting into the walls, since those decide the mortar.
  • On site, probe the joints, test the brick for softness, and note where the water is entering, so the diagnosis is clear before you quote.
  • Make a sample mortar on a hidden spot and match it to the original in color, texture and strength, then show the customer before the full job.
  • In the quote, separate the raking, the mortar, the joint profile and any cause repairs, so the customer sees the full scope.
  • Explain why a hard mortar on soft brick causes damage, in plain words, and show why the matched mix is the right call.
  • Put the cure and protection plan in writing, including the weather limits and how long the wall must be kept damp.

What to put on your profile

  • Before and after photos of repointed walls, shot in the same light and angle, with the joint profile visible
  • Brick and mortar types you work with, including historic and soft brick
  • Your mortar-matching process, with sample panels you have made for past jobs
  • Your service area and whether you also do chimney repairs and cause repairs such as flashing

Follow-up that helps the customer

  • Offer a check of the joints after the first freeze season to confirm the repointing is holding
  • Suggest gutter and grading fixes where water is running on the wall, explained as protection for the repointing
  • Mention chimney or parapet inspection as information when you see open joints in those areas

Licenses and permits

Repointing is commonly done under a contractor license in many areas, and it can need a permit when it is part of a larger structural or chimney job. Confirm what applies where you work with your state or local licensing agency and local building department, and keep your insurance current.

Questions

What do I do when the customer wants a hard, strong mortar for a soft old brick?

Explain that the stronger mortar will push damage into the brick faces, and offer a matched mix instead. Put the decision in writing so the customer understands why the mix was chosen.

Should I seal the brick after repointing?

Only if the brick and the mortar are suited to it, because a sealer can trap moisture and speed up damage. Explain the choice and document it on the quote.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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