Browse Forums Building Standards; Getting It Right! 1 Jul 25, 2016 12:45 pm Our house is around a year old, and we've just had a Sharp and Howells report confirm what we've thought for a while - our mortar fails to meet the standards. The mortar is quite soft, and it has resulted in our rolled finish being very pitted and also stained from the bricks (which is another issue). If you run your finger across the mortar the sand disintegrates. The 2 main issues in the report are that too much sand was used in the mortar mix, and too much acid was used in the clean. Here is the analysis of the mortar: And here are some examples of what the mortar looks like: So the recommended fixes by Sharp and Howells are to either: 1. Spray on a chemical hardener (this is the company they want to use: http://www.mortarmend.com.au/ ) and have Sharp and Howells then run the tests again and sign off that it has been rectified, and then have a company like NawKaw come and fix up the colour on the entire house so it is consistent. 2. Rake the mortar out to 25mm and then repoint. The builder is wanting to do option 1 as they think raking/repointing is going to cause more issues with sandblasting and chipped bricks etc, but we're thinking that the builder is just wanting to do option 1 as it may be cheaper for them. I can't find any reviews online for http://www.mortarmend.com.au/ so we're weary about saying yes to it. Does anyone have any experience in this area? We've already moved into the house so it's not like we can withhold final payment or anything like that. We just want the mortar to be like what it should have been in the first place. The builder is saying that if we choose to go with repointing they are going to make us sign something that voids them of any responsibility to the bricks/windows/basically anything around the house, including our neighbours houses (they say repointing will result in sandblasting to windows etc). Any help or advice from anyone who has been through this would be much appreciated Re: Faulty mortar - Rake/Repoint or MortarMend/NawKaw? 2Jul 25, 2016 1:37 pm I doubt very much that a spray on hardener will be a better choice. It may certainly improve the strength of the existing mortar but will not make it look any better which is probably your biggest concern seeing as your mortar looks pretty average at best. I've never liked any quick-fix solution which is what I think this is. We have been part of several renos where the solution was to rake and re-point for various reasons and in each case the brickwork came up looking very good. It is laborious and time consuming but how well the finished job ends up looking will depend mostly on who does it. I have also seen a few jobs done where the brickie or whoever rushed the repointing and it didn't come up as good as it should. Stewie Re: Faulty mortar - Rake/Repoint or MortarMend/NawKaw? 3Jul 28, 2016 9:06 am Hi Tom_air I too agree with SD on choice as an engineer who does structural repairs your mortar analysis is typical of what happens when Bricklayers 1. Don't use the right cement mix (1:4 not 1:14 ) 2. use lime & plasticisers/admixtures together 3. Slap up project homes as quick and as cheap as they can 4. No brickwork quality control..etc,etc 5. Mortar testing at any stage? Factor to now consider in the fix A. Strength MPa's? B. is the degrading joints on the weather side? C. Location , coastal up on a hill,etc? D. Wind, roof, eccentric Loadings.. any loads that will cause tension or flexture & shear cracking over the long term E. How often repairs are required and on going costs F. AS Codes? and safety factors on the structure,etc,etc BTW your structural warranty has been voided on a new house.... IMO really there are 2 options re-point or rebuild wall... get advice from a structural engineer & avoid cheap quick fixes without proofs, get Chemical & Mechanical engineering Data & properties of the Spay-ons/paints? etc... Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Faulty mortar - Rake/Repoint or MortarMend/NawKaw? 4Jul 28, 2016 9:48 am tom_air The builder is saying that if we choose to go with repointing they are going to make us sign something that voids them of any responsibility to the bricks/windows/basically anything around the house, including our neighbours houses (they say repointing will result in sandblasting to windows etc). Any help or advice from anyone who has been through this would be much appreciated LOL Let him tell that to the building commission or courts..the builder is responsible for any damage that he causes while removing the mortar.. LOL.. they can use plugging chisels and club hammers and avoid window damage by taking care...get legal advice. Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Faulty mortar - Rake/Repoint or MortarMend/NawKaw? 5Jul 28, 2016 10:22 am Thanks for the input guys, really helps. After looking into the spray on 'fix' I decided it isn't something I'd want to do at all so I'm pushing to have the house repointed. The building manager is trying to bully us into the spray on fix, so I've contacted the VBA and they've advised me on my rights and I believe I'm well within my rights to ask for the house to be repointed, without having to sign something voiding them of any responsibility if they damage things. Re: Faulty mortar - Rake/Repoint or MortarMend/NawKaw? 6Jul 28, 2016 10:45 am tom_air Thanks for the input guys, really helps. After looking into the spray on 'fix' I decided it isn't something I'd want to do at all so I'm pushing to have the house repointed. The building manager is trying to bully us into the spray on fix, so I've contacted the VBA and they've advised me on my rights and I believe I'm well within my rights to ask for the house to be repointed, without having to sign something voiding them of any responsibility if they damage things. Your welcome and don't be bullied as your new house may well be the biggest investment you ever own..so do it right & get it checked & certified as equivalent or better than AS3700 codes etc, as now its non-compliant An engineer can analyse, specify and recommend what needs doing..goodluck Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Faulty mortar - Rake/Repoint or MortarMend/NawKaw? 8Jul 28, 2016 11:01 am Tom..Thanks for putting up the post and photos..we have our fair share of $H!t Bricklayers/builders here in perth too.. H1 is a great resource more people should use it before they get into strife Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Faulty mortar - Rake/Repoint or MortarMend/NawKaw? 9Jul 28, 2016 11:19 am StructuralBIMGuy Hi Tom_air I too agree with SD on choice as an engineer who does structural repairs your mortar analysis is typical of what happens when Bricklayers 1. Don't use the right cement mix (1:4 not 1:14 ) 2. use lime & plasticisers/admixtures together 3. Slap up project homes as quick and as cheap as they can 4. No brickwork quality control..etc,etc 5. Mortar testing at any stage? Factor to now consider in the fix A. Strength MPa's? B. is the degrading joints on the weather side? C. Location , coastal up on a hill,etc? D. Wind, roof, eccentric Loadings.. any loads that will cause tension or flexture & shear cracking over the long term E. How often repairs are required and on going costs F. AS Codes? and safety factors on the structure,etc,etc Some big builders now use a Performance Based Solution (formerly called an Alternative Solution) that allows them to use 1 part concrete, 1 part lime and 10 parts sand. IMHO, it is Russian roulette cost cutting given that some brickies err with the standard mix. 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: Faulty mortar - Rake/Repoint or MortarMend/NawKaw? 10Jul 28, 2016 12:33 pm Gauge boxes or buckets should be used to measure out but this takes to much time , Lost count on how many times I have seen the lab scooping up the dregs around the mixer and putting it back in.unfortunatley its all about making money and people tend to cut corners where they can. In nearly 35 years I dont think I have ever seen a mortar test carried out,plenty for concrete. I supose it comes back to the bottom line everybody wants a cheaper job done Re: Faulty mortar - Rake/Repoint or MortarMend/NawKaw? 11Sep 01, 2016 9:59 pm tom_air Thanks for the input guys, really helps. After looking into the spray on 'fix' I decided it isn't something I'd want to do at all so I'm pushing to have the house repointed. The building manager is trying to bully us into the spray on fix, so I've contacted the VBA and they've advised me on my rights and I believe I'm well within my rights to ask for the house to be repointed, without having to sign something voiding them of any responsibility if they damage things. Hi tom , I so feel you frustration. I am sort of going through the the same thing . Your post and everyone's answer is very informative . So thank you all. I will post some of my doggy brick work photos separately so I don't hijack your thread . would like to see you opinion and comment too. Re: Faulty mortar - Rake/Repoint or MortarMend/NawKaw? 15Sep 08, 2016 9:59 pm Narrewarren01 Not washed in that pic I am no expert but it look like the pointing hasn't been done properly. Or something is wrong with the mixture of the mortar to cause that ' sandy ' effect . There are parts of my house like that too. On top of the pillar and under the window . Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Faulty mortar - Rake/Repoint or MortarMend/NawKaw? 16Sep 28, 2016 5:05 pm Thank you so much for this thread! This is how our brickwork has come up after an acid wash. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Little pimple bubbles all through our mortar as a result of to much clay in the sand weve been told. Our ss wasn't happy with it and told us they would render our facade and a small section near alfresco for free as these are high traffic areas. They did say they could repoint the worse areas but suggested it never comes up well, it was clear they wanted us to render (cheaper for them obviously) We then had a few people on here say push to have the whole house repointed. So i spoke to ss and said we wanted whole house repointed. I was quite unwell at the time so didnt say much other than that. His now told me his getting original bricklayer in to repoint some of it and then a proper company in melb to do other parts of the house. It doesnt sound like they are going to do the whole house. Im not good with confrontation but i know i wont be happy unless its all done and the mortar all matches. Any help or suggestions would be great. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Faulty mortar - Rake/Repoint or MortarMend/NawKaw? 17Sep 29, 2016 9:20 am Hi Julia1301 You will need to get the mortar composition properly analysed Other things to consider, mortar strength, loads on wall,potential failure modes,durability,etc,etc Then a structural engineer will assess the adequacy of the wall under the codes. AS3700-2011 11.4.2.2 Sand Shall be free from materials deleterious to the mortar and embedded items and shall be choosen to produce mortar that meets the requirements of this standard Render isn't a structural wall component under the codes Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Hi, I am planning to select San Selmo reclaimed original for the fascade of my build. I have seen many photos on line of the brick varying from a rustic to a neat finish.… 0 4568 Building Standards; Getting It Right! Hi, sorry if this is the wrong place - Iām new to the property/building journey (trying to buy my first home) so not sure where/who to go with these sorts of… 0 19112 2 8845 |