Repointing and Brickwork Across East London, North London and Essex
Lime mortar specialists for Victorian and Edwardian properties. Brick replacement, crack stitching and façade restoration delivered by our own tradesmen — fully insured, guaranteed in writing.
£1M PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURED
SPECIALISTS IN PERIOD PROPERTY MASONRY
Mortar joints are the most vulnerable part of any brick wall.
Designed to weather away over the life of the building, mortar joints take the brunt of rain, wind and freeze-thaw cycles so that the bricks themselves do not. Once those joints fail, water enters the masonry, frost damage accelerates, and what should be routine maintenance becomes a much larger remedial project.
FNB Roofing And Building carries out repointing and brickwork repairs across East London, North London and Essex, working on Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian terraces, post-war housing and modern builds. Backed by £1 million public liability insurance and a substantial collection of five-star reviews on Google and Checkatrade.
Brickwork Services We Provide
From routine repointing of a single wall to full façade restoration on Victorian terraces, our masonry work is matched correctly to the age, brick type and original mortar specification of the property.
Repointing
Renewal of failed mortar joints using the appropriate mix for the age and original specification of the property. Old joints are raked out cleanly to the correct depth and the new mortar applied to match the original profile.
Lime Mortar Pointing
Properties built before approximately 1930 used breathable lime mortar. We use Natural Hydraulic Lime (NHL) as standard for Victorian and Edwardian work, allowing the wall to release moisture and accommodate small movements without cracking.
Cement Mortar Pointing
For properties built post-1930 and constructed in modern brick, cement-based mortar mixes remain the appropriate specification. The mix is matched to the original in colour, sand profile and joint finish wherever possible.
Brick Replacement
Spalled, frost-damaged or impact-damaged bricks are cut out cleanly and replaced with matching reclaimed or new stock. Reclaimed yard bricks are used on conservation and period work where new bricks would stand out.
Crack Stitching & Helifix Repairs
Stepped cracking in brick walls — typically from clay subsoil drying or tree root activity — addressed with Helifix stainless steel helical bars bonded into the bed joints. The wall is effectively stitched back together with no visible repair from outside.
Façade Restoration
Full façade cleaning and restoration, combining brick cleaning, repointing, brick replacement and remedial structural work. Particularly suited to soot-stained period properties where decades of London pollution have built up on the brick face.
Pebble Dash & Render Removal
Removal of failed pebble dash, cement render or masonry paint applied historically over original brickwork. Care is taken to avoid damage to the brick face, with the exposed brickwork then repointed and restored.
Pointing Finishes
A range of joint profiles available: flush, weather struck, recessed, bucket handle, and traditional tuck pointing. The appropriate finish for the property is recommended during the survey.
WHY THE RIGHT MORTAR MATTERS
Cement on lime brickwork shortens the life of period property.
In London in particular, the mistake of pointing period brickwork in modern cement mortar has caused untold damage to historic housing stock. Cement is harder and less permeable than the surrounding brick, which forces moisture trapped in the wall to evaporate through the brick face rather than through the joint.
Over a small number of years, this causes the face of the brick to spall away, exposing the softer interior to further damage. Reversing the process — removing the cement and repointing in lime — is the only way to halt the deterioration once it has started.
We carry out this corrective work routinely on Victorian and Edwardian terraces across the area.
“Repointed the whole rear elevation of a 1900s terrace. The lime work blends in like it was always there — proper old-school trade standard.” — S O'Brien, Ilford
How a Typical Repointing Project is Delivered
Every brickwork project follows the same clear four-stage process, designed to keep you fully informed and avoid the surprises that frequently arise on masonry work.
01
Survey and Specification
A site visit is arranged. The age and condition of the brickwork is assessed, the existing mortar examined, and a sample of the appropriate replacement mix prepared where useful. The work is then specified — material, joint profile, depth of rake and extent.
02
Itemised Written Quotation
A written quotation is issued covering scaffold access, raking out, mortar materials, brick replacement where needed, and labour. Where appropriate, options for partial or staged work are priced separately.
03
Programmed Works
Scaffold is erected and existing mortar raked out to 15–20mm, or twice the joint width, whichever is greater. New mortar is then applied in the appropriate profile and finished cleanly. Lime mortar work is timed around weather conditions to allow controlled curing.
04
Sign-Off and Guarantee
A final inspection is carried out with the client. Workmanship is guaranteed in writing, with properly executed repointing typically delivering 50 to 60 years of service on the new joints.
Lime mortar specialists
Natural Hydraulic Lime (NHL) used as standard on Victorian and Edwardian property. The right mortar for the right age of building.
£1m public liability insured
Full cover for the property, our workforce and any third parties present during scaffold and works.
Local — based in Walthamstow
Long trading history in the area. Every trade — repointing, brickwork, scaffold — delivered by our own team rather than subcontracted.
Areas We Cover for Repointing and Brickwork
Operating from Walthamstow gives us direct access throughout East London, North London and into Essex. Repointing, brick replacement and façade work is regularly carried out across Waltham Forest, Hackney, Haringey, Redbridge, Newham, Islington, Enfield and the surrounding boroughs, alongside postcodes throughout the E, N, IG and RM regions. If your property falls outside this list, please make contact regardless — we likely cover your area.
EAST LONDON
E1-E18
Waltham Forest, Hackney, Newham, Redbridge and surrounding boroughs.
NORTH LONDON
N1-N22
Haringey, Islington, Enfield and surrounding North London boroughs.
ESSEX
IG & RM
Ilford, Romford and the wider Essex postcode area. Outside this list? Get in touch — we likely cover you.
Frequently asked questions about Repointing & Brickwork
Common questions about our repointing service — what to expect, how long it lasts, and why mortar choice matters.
When does brickwork need repointing?
Mortar joints typically last 50–60 years on a properly built wall. Signs that the joints are failing include mortar dust collecting at the base of the wall, joints that crumble when picked at with a screwdriver, visible recesses in the bed and perpend joints, damp patches forming internally on the same elevation, and frost-spalled bricks where the face has begun to flake. If any of these are visible across more than a small isolated area, a survey is advisable.
Should I use lime or cement mortar?
Use lime on anything built before approximately 1930. Use cement on anything built after. The cut-off is not absolute — early 20th-century properties sometimes used cement, and we will confirm during the survey by examining the existing joints. The critical point is that cement on a lime-built wall traps moisture, causes the bricks to spall, and shortens the life of the masonry substantially. It is one of the most common and damaging mistakes in the trade.
How long does properly executed repointing last?
Around 50 to 60 years on the new joints, assuming the correct mortar specification, depth of rake out and weather conditions during application. Lime mortar requires controlled curing — too cold, too wet or too hot during the cure all compromise the final result, which is why we time lime work carefully around the weather.
What areas do you cover for brickwork?
Operating from Walthamstow, we cover East London, North London and Essex — including Waltham Forest, Hackney, Haringey, Redbridge, Newham, Islington, Enfield and the surrounding boroughs, alongside postcodes throughout the E, N, IG and RM regions. If your property falls outside this list, please make contact regardless — we likely cover your area.
Are quotes free, and is there any obligation?
Yes — quotes are completely free. No charge for the site visit, no obligation to proceed, and no follow-up sales pressure. Most projects can be priced within a few working days of initial contact.
Are you insured?
Every project is backed by £1 million of public liability insurance as standard, ensuring full cover for the property, our workforce and any third parties present during scaffold and works.
Is the work subcontracted?
No. Every discipline — repointing, brick replacement, façade restoration, crack stitching — is delivered by our own tradesmen. That keeps the standard consistent and means there is no dispute over responsibility if something needs revisiting.
“Repointed the whole rear elevation of a 1900s terrace. The lime work blends in like it was always there — proper old-school trade standard.”
S O’Brien
Ilford, IG1
“Same team start to finish, no surprises on price, and the work itself was spot on. Would have them back tomorrow.”
J Patel
Walthamstow, E17
“Storm took half our flat roof off on a Sunday night. FNB had it watertight by Tuesday and re-laid in EPDM the following week. Faultless.”
M Williams
Hackney, E8
Request a Brickwork Quote
Contact us for a free site visit and written estimate. There is no charge for the quotation and no obligation to proceed.
