30-03-2022
Pointing - Definition
POINTING AND
PLASTERING
Pointing - Purpose
■ The pointing work not only protects the mortar joints from the
adverse effect of the atmosphere but also improves the
appearance of the wall by proving the pattern of the joint, their
thickness, colors, and texture prominently.
■ In the case of externally exposed masonry work joint is
considered as the weakest and most vulnerable spots from
which rainwater or dampness can enter.
■ ointing is a technique of strengthening and repairs of brick
masonry or stone masonry mortar joints. In case when old
mortar joints crack and disintegrate, then the defective mortar
is removed by hand or power tool and replaced with fresh
mortar, preferably of the same composition as the original.
■ There are various types of pointing in construction like Flush
Pointing, Weathered Pointing, Keyed Pointing, V-Grooved
Pointing, Beaded Pointing, Struck Pointing, Recessed Pointing,
Tuck Pointing.
Pointing – Mortar Used
■ Pointing work is usually done by lime mortar or cement mortar.
■ Lime mortar for pointing work done by equal part of fat lime
and fine sand and then grinding the mixture thoroughly, in
mortar mill.
■ Cement mortar for pointing work prepared by mixing cement
and sand in proportion of 1:2 or 1:3.
1

Pointing – Method
■ Raking Out
■ Brushing Down
■ Mortar Mixing
■ Mortar Application
■ Beating
■ Finishing
■ Protection
Pointing – Flush Pointing
■ In the flush pointing, the mortar filled
and pressed into a mortar joint. After
that, it is finished off flush with the
edges of the bricks or stones, to give
a smooth appearance. Then the final
finish is given by trimming the edges
neatly with a trowel and straight edge.
■ Flush pointing is also done by wiping
over the finished pointing with the
trowel or piece of rough cloth.
■ It does not make a good appearance.
■ But it is durable as it aborts the
chances of accumulation of dust,
water etc.
■ It is the most popular types of pointing
used in building construction.
30-03-2022
Pointing – Method
Following are the steps to be followed while doing pointing work.
■ Old mortar from the joint is ranked out to a depth at least
20mm for better bonding.
■ Remove all dust from masonry joints by using wire mesh.
■ Wash the joint surface with clean water and kept it wet for a
few hours.
Fill the mortar in these joint in desired shape to cover all joint
space.
■ Press the mortar into joints with thin trowel still; it sticks to the
old mortar surface.
■ Complete all joint similarly. The water curing must be done for
at least three days if a lime mortar used and ten days
if cement mortar used
Pointing – Weathered Pointing
■ In Weathered Pointing the
mortar pressed into a joint,
and while the mortar is still
fresh the top of the
horizontal joints is neatly
pressed back by 3-6 mm
with the pointing tool. They
look like sloping from the
top of the joint to the
bottom of the joint.
2
 30-03-2022

Pointing – Keyed Pointing Pointing – V Groove Pointing

■ In these Keyed types of pointing the ■ V pointing are similar to keyed
mortar is pressed into joints by trowel
and well finished off with the face of the pointing work. The mortar filled and
masonry surface. After that, the joint is pressed into a joint. After that, the V-
presses back by small-diameter steel shaped groove is formed in the joint by
lengthwise (6 mm dia). It will form a
curved arc groove into a mortar joint. use of V shape tool.
The vertical joint also finishes similar
manner.
■ In this type mortar is first pressed into
joints
■ A semi-circular curve type notch is
formed by tool or small steel bar.
■ These types of pointing are providing an
excellent appearance to the wall.
■ Keyed pointings are mostly used for
superior type work, particularly for
vertical joints of walls.

Pointing – Beaded Pointing Pointing – Struck Pointing

■ In Beaded Pointing, the mortar
pressed into a masonry joint and
concave grooves are formed into a
joint by using a steel tool having a
concave shape. Beaded pointing gives
an excellent appearance to the mortar
joint but is liable to get damaged
quickly.
■ In this pointing, the mortar is first
filled and pressed to match the face of
brick masonry work, and then the top
edge of the joint is pressed inside
around 10 mm compared to the
bottom corner. It will form slope from
top to bottom so that that rain wall will
drain off quickly.

3

Pointing – Recessed Pointing
■ These types of pointing generally not
suitable for buildings in exposed
situations because they do not readily
shed water.
■ Recessed pointings are by pressing
mortar back from edges by 5 mm or
more.
■ Pressed pointing face is kept vertical
■ It is advisable to use only bricks with
excellent frost resistance should be
used with recessed joints.
■ It Gives a good appearance.
Pointing – Advantages
■ The following are the advantages of
pointing work,
■ Improve structure integrity of the
building structure.
■ Provide weatherproof external walls.
■ Restore overall building appearance.
■ Maintain or significantly increase the
overall value of your home or property
■ Reduce any ongoing maintenance on
your brickwork
30-03-2022
Pointing – Tuck Pointing
■ In these types of pointing the mortar
joint is filled and pressed to the level
surface of masonry.
■ While the mortar is still fresh, grooves
are cut in the mortar joint. The slot
size of 5mm width and 3mm depth. Ti
is then filled with white cement putty,
kept projecting beyond the face of the
joint by 3 mm. in case if these
projections are done in a mortar then
it is called bastard pointing or half
tuckpointing.
• Definition of Plastering
• Objective of Plastering
• Requirements of Plastering
• Method of Plastering
• Types of Plaster
• Cement Plaster
• Lime Plaster
• Mud Plaster