SERVICES
Expert Brick Repair and Repointing for Strata & Commercial Buildings Sydney-Wide
BIM’s brick work covers many facets of the trade, from new building extensions to brick veneer and solid brick repair on single storey, double storey and commercial buildings across Sydney, and our repointing and rectification services are here to keep your building structurally sound and looking the part.
We undertake brickwork for owner builders, building contractors, property managers and developers, and for strata committees and commercial property managers in particular, brickwork damage is rarely just a cosmetic issue. It is a liability question, since loose bricks, bowing walls or ongoing water ingress sit on a building that other people live and work in, and the person who signs off on the repair is usually accountable to an owners corporation, a board, or both.
In many older style properties, the most common problem with brick walls is cracking in the brickwork and its existing mortar, and fortunately, with the right remedial builder, these issues can be identified and resolved quickly before they become something bigger. The earlier brick repairs are undertaken, the less extensive and less expensive the work tends to be.
What is Brick Repointing?
Brick repointing is the process of removing and replacing old or damaged mortar in brick walls to restore strength and weather protection. The mortar between the bricks acts like glue, holding everything together and giving the wall its strength, so when it cracks, crumbles or deteriorates through weather exposure or poor original workmanship, the whole structure can weaken, which is why loose bricks and even collapse become a real risk if the problem is left untreated. The mortar also acts as a seal, so once it fails, water can track into the wall, weakening the brick itself, encouraging mould, and letting moisture into the building, which is why repointing needs to restore a proper watertight barrier and not just patch the surface.
Causes Requiring Brick Repairs
Water intrusion, lintel damage, direct impact and salt deterioration are the most common causes of brickwork damage, and in most cases individual bricks are visibly affected, but the mortar joints between them can also weaken or slide away from the inner lining before the damage is obvious from ground level.
BIM's Brickwork Repairs
For strata committees and commercial property managers, choosing a brickwork contractor is a risk decision as much as a trade decision, and BIM brings nearly 30 years’ experience delivering remedial building work across Sydney, with over $80M in remedial projects completed and 1,000+ clients served. We are a licensed remedial building contractor (NSW Builder Licence 198846C), a registered building practitioner under the Design and Building Practitioners Act, members of ACRA (the peak body for concrete repair and remediation), Master Builders Association members since 2015, and certified for quality, environmental and safety management (ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001). Where brickwork issues intersect with regulated Class 2 building work, we investigate and document the defect and carry out the work to the registered design practitioner’s declared design, so your scheme’s compliance obligations are met from investigation through to completion.
We also know that strata and commercial buildings are occupied, not empty, so we plan access, staging and communication with your building or facilities manager before work starts, rather than working it out on site, and we keep noise, dust and disruption to residents and tenants to a minimum throughout.
Our brick repair team removes affected bricks, treats the remaining brickwork for salt degradation, and replaces bricks and brick ties as needed, before repointing to restore the wall to its original condition. Our services include:
- Brickwork repointing
- Brick stitching
- Fretted brickwork replacement
- Brick pier replacement
- Brick sealant works
- Complete brickwork remediation services and brick repair
Signs You Need Brick Repointing
Keep an eye out for the following signs that your building may need brick repair services.
Structural Concerns
1. Loose Bricks
Bricks that wiggle or move when pressed.
2. Bowing Walls
Walls that are leaning inward or outward. This can be a serious structural issue and should be addressed by a qualified professional as soon as possible.
Visible Mortar Issues
1. Cracks
Large or numerous cracks in the mortar joints, especially if they extend deep into the mortar or run diagonally across the bricks.
2. Crumbling
The mortar is visibly crumbling or deteriorating, leaving gaps between the bricks.
3. Missing Mortar
Large sections of mortar are missing, exposing the inner layers of the brick wall.
Water Damage
1. Stains
Dark streaks or water stains running down the brickwork.
2. Efflorescence
White, powdery deposits on the surface of the bricks, caused by moisture carrying salts leaching out of the mortar.
3. Dampness
Damp patches on the interior walls, especially near the brickwork.
Cosmetic Issues
1. Uneven Brickwork
The mortar joints between the bricks are uneven or inconsistent, detracting from the overall appearance of the brickwork.
2. Discolouration
The mortar appears faded or discoloured compared to the original colour.
Brick Repairs and Repointing: Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to repoint brick in Sydney?
Cost depends on the extent of the damage, wall access and whether the issue is isolated or building-wide, so rather than quote a blanket figure, we provide a free, no-obligation site inspection and a scoped proposal once we have assessed your building directly.
What time of year is best for repointing?
Repointing can generally be carried out year-round in Sydney, though mild, drier conditions make curing more predictable, and for larger or staged strata and commercial jobs, we factor timing into the works program at inspection stage.
Is it worth repointing brickwork?
Yes. Mortar is what holds a brick wall’s structural integrity and weatherproofing together, so left unaddressed, deteriorating mortar allows water ingress and can progress to loose bricks and wider structural issues, which cost more to fix the longer they are left.
What happens if you don’t repoint brick?
Untreated mortar failure typically gets worse rather than better. Water tracks further into the wall, salt deterioration accelerates, and what starts as a straightforward repointing job can become a full brick or wall replacement if it’s left too long.
Contact BIM Sydney for all your Brick Repointing Needs
If you manage a strata or commercial building and suspect a problem with your brickwork or stonework, call us today on 02 9938 1740 or 0405 917 295 or email us at quotes@bimsydney.com.au. We also offer free brick repair quotes and repointing masonry consultation, so contact us to find out more.
