BRICKWORK SPECIALISTS

Pointing by Tony Wallace are Brick Cleaning London Specialist  working to preserve, restore and improve buildings for over 30 years. We are specialist in the Brick Cleaning and Pointing industry with wide-ranging knowledge and experience on residential, commercial and historical buildings. We operate throughout London and the surrounding counties of Essex, Kent, Surrey, Berkshire and Hertfordshire.

We are well known and trusted in the industry with home owners, builders, property developers and structural engineers as our clients. We advise our clients on alternative solutions that may have greater long-term benefits and work with them to achieve their goal to a high standard.

Pointing by Tony Wallace started as a one-man-band, by a young bricklayer working for property developers, who decided to specialise in the niche market of Brick Cleaning and Repointing in London. The Repointing industry at that time was extremely niche, Tony worked hard and took courses to learn and master all the Pointing techniques and Repointing methods.

Over the last 30 years, Pointing by Tony Wallace has grown to be one of the most renowned Repointing Specialists in London and beyond. The now team of 10 Specialist Pointers and Brick Cleaners are experts in all methods of Repointing and understand the importance of using the right techniques and materials to maintain the buildings heritage. Our Brick Cleaning specialists all are trained experts in brick cleaning properties with minimal damage to the brickwork.

London holds a diverse assortment of properties with some of its oldest constructions built as early as 1100 CE. Different pointing methods were used during different periods, i.e. Tuck Pointing was commonly used during the early 20^th century, but now only skilled craftsmen with historic building expertise use this. Our repointing services cover all types of repointing used on new builds or in the conservation and restoration of historic buildings.

Brick Cleaning Services 

Brick Cleaning in London has become more popular with increased level of grime and air pollution from chimneys, vehicles and in some cases outside the city factories. Paint Removal from brickwork has also increased. As a nation we love to preserve our traditional structures exposing all original elements.
Pointing by Tony Wallace use a chemical cleaning method as well as non chemical and non water techniques for indoor brick cleaning using TORC Machines on brick and on stonework cleaning as it is nonabrasive and less likely to cause damage to masonry. You can read here(TORC) for more details about Stone Cleaning and Brick Cleaning using TORC Machine. Brick cleaning is a simple process that entails a great deal of manual labor. Pointing by Tony Wallace has a tried and tested procedure used for many years that has proven to be the safest and least harmful brick cleaning method.

TORC Brick and Stone Cleaning Services

The TORC system, unlike the previously utilised, albeit more popular outdated JOS system, which use chemical and water formulas, is kind on the environment and gentle on your bricks and stonework. This is due to its unique nozzle design which creates a swirling vortex using a combination of fine inert granular materials, low pressure air and very little water.
The TORC machinery can accommodate different sizes of nozzle, which makes it possible to clean and restore anything from an entire church stone wall with a very large surface area, to a very intricate and much smaller section of brick. The chemical blasting used by earlier systems causes damage to fragile buildings, so the gentle action of the TORC system works perfectly with no damage to surroundings e.g. stained-glass.
This is not a blasting system so there is no risk of damage and nothing to be nervous about!

Brickwork Services

If you have any type of brickwork problem, we can certainly fix it! We pride ourselves in our offering of brickwork services. Not only will we have a brickwork solution, but we also have trade resources that will source like-for-like bricks. We can colour match mortar tints and use traditional authentic pointing techniques.

Paint Removal Services

Bricks are one of the longest lasting and strongest building materials having been used since circa 5000 BC. They do not require regular attention or maintenance but every decade or so, maintenance is needed for continued strength, protection and stability.
Often when homeowners think about exterior renovating or refreshing their homes, painting the bricks is often a consideration. This should be carefully considered, as paint is semi permanent, so make sure this is what you truly want.

Pointing Services

Pointing is the technique of applying the substance between the bricks or stone used to erect a building. The substance between the bricks can differ depending on the age of the building. The substance often used on older buildings is mortar made from lime and newer buildings tend to be constructed with cement mortar. The areas surrounding the bricks are called mortar joints.

Pebbledash Removal Services

A form of render consisting of pebbles and stone to create a course finish for external walls. A post war trend and an inexpensive façade that years later is found unappealing. Pointing by Tony Wallace are Pebbledash Removal specialists. We manually remove the pebbledash with manual tools to limit damage to the underlying brickwork.

Repointing Services

Repointing is the technique of repairing the mortar joints between bricks or stone. Over time being exposed to the elements and general wear and tear, mortar joints will crack and/or disintegrate. Pointing repair requires a brickwork specialist that can identify the technique, age and damage and able to find a solution that is in keeping with the building’s heritage.

Types of Repointing Techniques

Tuck Pointing : Tuck Pointing was commonly used on building from the 17^th century until the 20^th century. Now only few Repointing craftsmen use this method on the restoration and conservation of period properties. Old Tuck repointing should be replaced with like for like. All our Repointing Specialists are versed at this rare craftsmenship.

Cement Mortar : Cement mixed with fine sands and water. The ratio of cement to aggregates can differ depending on performance properties.

Mortar : A bonding agent generally produced by mixing a binding material, typically lime or cement and fine aggregate e.g. sand, with water. Mortar can disintegrate from weathering and become more absorbent. This can lead to further external and internal problems.

Lime Mortar : Lime mortar is produced by mixing fat lime or hydraulic lime with sand and water for Lime pointing. The ratio of lime to sand can differ to produce specific bonding properties.

Flush Pointing (lime or cement based) : This type of pointing is a technique where the mortar is slightly recessed by 1 or 2mm (also called Recessed Pointing). Originally the Flush pointing method was to press back the mortar by 5mm but was found to be more susceptible to water penetration and over the years the process has been altered.
Struck Pointing : It is a method where the mortar is pressed in by 1mm at the top with the bottom edge projecting out by 2mm. Struck Pointing gives a well-ordered appearance with the advantage of easier draining.

Contact Tony Wallace now for your Brick Cleaning, Pebbledash Removal, Repointing or Paint Removal needs Tel: 07956 393381. You can also email us with the images and address with post codes for a quick estimate at info@pointingbytonywallace.co.uk