In the last Restoration Primer I covered how historic masonry systems differ from modern ones, how to assess mortar damage, and how to know when more extensive repairs than repointing are needed. This month I'll introduce you to mortar removal methods and materials for repointing. The object of repointing is to renew the mortar joint. In a sense, the mortar is a sacrificial element that gets worn out as it protects what is really important—the brick. Repointing is a maintenance procedure that might have to be done every fifty or hundred years. Only the joints that are actually worn out need to be repointed. Often whole walls or sections are repointed even though only a third or fourth of the
