Repair and maintain-repointing and defects

What is the primary reason for repointing masonry structures?

• Improve appearance
• Repair mortar joints
• Prevent insect attacks
• Increase insulation

Which insect is most commonly associated with damaging soft mortar joints?

• Carpenter ant
• Mason bee
• Termite
• Woodlouse

What is the first step in the process of repointing brickwork?

• Dampen the wall
• Point bed joints
• Rake out joints
• Point perp joints

What is the main cause of spalling in masonry structures?

• Insect infestation
• Sulphate attack
• Frost attack
• Poor workmanship

How can efflorescence on brickwork be removed?

• Use a stiff brush
• Apply a chemical wash
• Sandblast the surface
• Paint over it

Which material was traditionally used in older mortar mixes?

• Cement
• Lime
• Gypsum
• Plaster

What is the key factor in matching new work to existing masonry?

• Matching the mortar colour
• Using larger bricks
• Increasing wall thickness
• Changing the bonding pattern

What is sulphate attack caused by?

• Freeze-thaw cycles
• Insect infestation
• Reaction between sulphates and cement
• Poor ventilation

What can diagonal cracking in masonry indicate?

• Structural movement
• Sulphate attack
• Tie-wire failure
• Frost damage

What is the purpose of tooling mortar joints?

• To improve drainage
• To compress the mortar
• To increase wall thickness
• To enhance insulation