Repointing is the process of renewing the pointing, which is the external part of mortar joints, in masonry construction. Over time, weathering and decay cause voids in the joints between masonry units, usually in bricks, allowing the undesirable entrance of water. Water entering through these voids can cause significant damage through frost weathering and from salt dissolution and deposition. Repointing is also called pointing,[1] or pointing up, although these terms more properly refer to the finishing step in new construction. Tuckpointing is also commonly used as a synonym, though its formal definition is technically different.
- ^ "pointing, vbl. n 1. " def. 5 Oxford English Dictionary Second Edition on CD-ROM (v. 4.0) © Oxford University Press 2009