Re-pointing Fiasco 1

[XR250]

Asked for some piers to be re-pointed due to cracks. Here is what the foundation contractor used...

 

[ANE91]

Isn’t a pier just a vertical sidewalk?

 

[SWComposites]

it says right there "seal cracks in concrete"; what could possibly be wrong?

 

[TRAK.Structural]

Flexible, that means it can transfer load through the joint right?

And it's paintable!!!

 

[Ingenuity]

In defense of the contractor, what did YOUR specs call for exactly?

 

[XR250]

In defense of the contractor, what did YOUR specs call for exactly?

Fair question.
"Re-point cracks". Do I need to say more... - Apparently! LOL
Never had an issue in over 25 years.
Seems to be a pretty common term.

https://imiweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/06.02-Repointing-Masonry-Walls.pdf

 

[EngDM]

Fair question.
"Re-point cracks". Do I need to say more... - Apparently! LOL
Never had an issue in over 25 years.
Seems to be a pretty common term.

https://imiweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/06.02-Repointing-Masonry-Walls.pdf

Never heard that term used, although I don't do much masonry repair.

 

[phamENG]

I have a repointing detail on my drawings, walking the contractor through step by step. Even with that, it gets screwed up sometimes. Granted, most of the stuff I tell contractors to repoint is well over 100 years old, so extra caution is required....but this is a new sort of ignorance. Wow.

 

[XR250]

Makes sense for historic masonry where mortar compatibility is more of an issue.

 

[LittleInch]

Pointing is pretty universally known.

Now if hte spec had said "Fill cracks..." then they might have a better case, but don't think the word "point" is anywhere on that tube.

 

[jerseyshore]

Pointing is pretty universally known.

Now if hte spec had said "Fill cracks..." then they might have a better case, but don't think the word "point" is anywhere on that tube.

I could see that. I always refer to repointing when it comes to brick walls, but never say the word "crack" for this reason. When contractors see that there is a crack to be filled I assume they'll use anything from shaving cream to cool whip to apparently sidewalk silicone.

 

[phamENG]

For me, it's repoint joints and replace cracked bricks. For especially bad vertical wall cracks that pass through joints and/or bricks, I'll also use stitch tie reinforcing. In a perfect world we wouldn't have be so nit-picky, but here we are.

 

[masonrygeek]

Repointing (not tuckpointing) is a pretty universal term for replacing old mortar with new mortar. People do have an issue when trying to deal with smaller cracks that may go through the brick - sealant? mortar? leave it alone? No universal answer and as the comments above state, cracks that go all the way through the brick or wall may require some more attention.
Someone made a link to an IMI document above (good info). IMI also has a training certification for masons so that they have the right skills to repair historic masonry: https://imiweb.org/historic-masonry-preservation-certificate/. (Disclosure - I work for IMI). Designers can put this certification in their spec so that the craftworkers working on the restoration have the proper skills.

 

[phamENG]

IMI also has a training certification for masons so that they have the right skills to repair historic masonry:

This is absolute gold. I just sent in a request for a list of masons in my area. Thanks, masonrygeek!