What is Pointing? Purpose, Method | Types of Pointing |Keyed Pointing

Table of Contents

What is Pointing?

Pointing is the process of finishing mortar joints, whether it is brick masonry or stone masonry. The joints are raked out 13 to 20 mm deep, and space is filled by appropriate mortar in the desired shape.

Different types of pointing are used for brick masonry and stone masonry work which we will discuss in this post.

Pointing is far more economical than plaster, and thus in the case of storage of cement, an external surface can be finished with pointing.

Right Pointing prevents the entrance of water into the wall within joints. Pointing may be done in the lime mortar or cement mortar.

Cement mortar pointing is generally used as it is more long-lasting and weather requiring.

Stages Involve In Pointing or Method of Pointing

Mortar joints of the surface (Brick Masonry or Stone Masonry) to be pointed are raked out to a depth of about 13 to 20 mm.
The raked joints are cleaned from loose mortar and completely wetted.
Mortar is taken in small flat rectangular plates made of iron.
Pointing should be finished as per the expected finishing with the help of the particular tool.
Curing should be done on the pointed surface for at least three days in case of lime mortar and ten days in case of cement mortar.

Why is Pointing Done? or Purpose of Pointing

Pointing is adopted due to the following purposes.

For the protection of exposed surface from adverse effects due to atmospheric action like rain, sun, wind, snow etc.
To hide the interior mortar and inferior quality.
To develop a decorative impact or to enhance the appearance.

Also read – Brick Bond – Types, Difference Between English Bond and Flemish Bond

Types of Pointing

Flush Pointing
Recessed Pointing
Rubbed or grooved or keyed Pointing
V- Grooved Pointing
Struck Pointing
Tuckpointing
Beaded pointing

Flush Pointing

Flush pointing is the most accessible type of pointing and is generally utilised in brick masonry and stone masonry.

What is Pointing? Types of Pointing, Purpose, Method

In flush pointing, mortar is pushed into the raked joints and joints are made flush with the edge of the stone or brick to provide a uniform appearance.

After that, with the help of a trowel and straight edge, edges are precisely trimmed. This type of pointing doesn’t have a good appearance, but it doesn’t have any space for dust and water which make it long-lasting.

Also, Read – Parapet Wall – Purpose, Types & Uses

Recessed Pointing

Recessed pointing has a vertical pointing face and provides a better appearance. A recessed pointing mortar is pushed back inside the surface of the wall with a vertical pointing face with the help of a suitable pointing tool.

Rubbed or grooved or keyed Pointing

In tuckpointing, a channel or groove of 5mm width and 3 mm depth is created at the middle of the mortar joint.

Then the groove or track is packed up by white cement putty having a projection of 3 mm. If the node is made in the mortar, it is known as bastard pointing or half – tuckpointing.

V- Grooved Pointing

This type of point is similar to keyed or grooved pointing except that instead of a normal groove, v groove is formed by using a suitably shaped steel rod.

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Cut or Weathered or Struck Pointing

In struck pointing, have inclined or sloping pointing face as shown in the image. The upper edge of the joint is about 3 to 6 mm pushed back inside from the face of the brick.

This joint helps to dispose of water quickly. When the lower edge of the joint is kept inside from the face of brick or stone, it is called overhand struck pointing. But it will not make an adequate joint because water may collect in the joint.

Tuck Pointing

In tuckpointing, a channel or groove of 5mm width and 3 mm depth is created at the middle of the mortar joint.

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Then the groove or track is packed up by white cement putty having a projection of 3 mm. If the node is made in the mortar, it is known as bastard pointing or half – tuckpointing.

Beaded pointing

Beaded pointing is made with the help of a steel or iron rod having a concave edge. Beaded pointing provides a better appearance, but it is susceptible to damage and maintenance is difficult.