Loose or weathered mortar joints in the facade
Mortar joints age inconspicuously: the mortar between the bricks weathers slowly from wind and weather until it starts to crumble or come loose. Because joints are the main moisture barrier of brickwork, this is a problem a painter shouldn't overlook.

Cause
Years of exposure to rain, frost and sun gradually erode the mortar, especially on facades that take a lot of driving rain. Older buildings also often have less durable pointing than what is common today.
How to recognise it
- Mortar that crumbles or comes loose under light pressure
- Visible gaps or cracks between the bricks
- Damp patches on the facade just below affected joints
- Green growth or moss in the joints
What's the risk?
- Moisture penetrates the brickwork through open joints and can cause the brick to flake off during frost
- Moisture that gets in also affects adjacent woodwork and window frames over time
- Weathered joints gradually worsen and spread across the facade
The solution
We rout out and renew badly weathered joints (mortar repair) so the brickwork is sealed again before any further facade maintenance takes place.
Where the joints are still in sufficiently good condition, we include facade cleaning and protection without replacing them.
When painting is enough
If the joints are still intact and only the facade paint or coating is outdated, regular facade maintenance is enough.
When repair is needed
As soon as mortar crumbles, shows gaps or comes loose, joint repair is needed before any further work on the facade.
How Painting Company solves it
- Inspection of the condition of the pointing
- Routing out affected joints
- Repointing with a matching mortar
- Follow-up facade maintenance or paintwork
Preventing loose or weathered mortar joints in the facade: practical maintenance
The best way to prevent loose or weathered mortar joints in the facade is to regularly check the spots where the problem most often starts, and fix small defects straight away instead of waiting. Years of exposure to rain, frost and sun gradually erode the mortar, especially on facades that take a lot of driving rain. Older buildings also often have less durable pointing than what is common today.
A fixed maintenance cycle — for example periodically touching up vulnerable spots such as sealant joints, corners and sills — is often cheaper than waiting until a problem shows up in full. Not sure whether your situation needs attention? A free, no-obligation inspection gives you clarity.
Why choose Painting Company
Painting Company has now completed over 1374 projects and serves more than 261 VvE's, with a team of 14+ permanent painters and an average Google rating of 4.9. With loose or weathered mortar joints in the facade, it's not just about the visible paint layer but also the structural repair underneath — we have daily experience with exactly that.
As part of CrumBouw and GoedkoopSteigerHuren.nl, we can combine this with facade maintenance and, if the situation calls for it, scaffolding — all through a single point of contact. Request a free, no-obligation quote, and we'll think it through with you.
Frequently asked questions about loose or weathered mortar joints in the facade
Can you repair mortar joints alongside paintwork?
Yes, where needed we include joint repair in the project so the facade is sealed again before we continue with cleaning or finishing.
How do I know if my mortar joints need replacing?
Mortar that crumbles under light pressure, shows gaps, or causes damp patches is due for replacement. If in doubt, we're happy to assess this during a site visit.
Can I fix loose or weathered mortar joints in the facade myself, or is this a job for a professional?
Small, surface-level cases can sometimes be touched up yourself, but if you're unsure we'd advise against it. We rout out and renew badly weathered joints (mortar repair) so the brickwork is sealed again before any further facade maintenance takes place. Repairs done incorrectly often end up costing more in the long run than calling a professional painter straight away.
How long does it take to fix loose or weathered mortar joints in the facade?
That depends a lot on the extent and accessibility of the spot. For a limited, localised case the work is often done within a day or a few days; larger areas take longer. During the free assessment we give a concrete estimate for your situation.
What does it cost to fix loose or weathered mortar joints in the facade?
That varies by situation — the extent, the accessibility and whether painting is also needed all play a role. We give a clear quote after a free, no-obligation assessment, so you know exactly where you stand beforehand.
What happens if I ignore loose or weathered mortar joints in the facade?
Moisture penetrates the brickwork through open joints and can cause the brick to flake off during frost The longer you wait, the bigger the eventual repair — and the cost that comes with it — tends to be.
What's the best time of year to have this addressed?
We prefer to carry out exterior work in dry weather at a moderate temperature, usually from spring to autumn. Repairing acute damage — such as cutting out rotten wood — can however often be done year-round, so the problem doesn't get worse while you wait for better weather.
How do I stop loose or weathered mortar joints in the facade coming back after it's fixed?
We address not just the visible symptom but also the underlying cause — years of exposure to rain, frost and sun gradually erode the mortar, especially on facades that take a lot of driving rain. Older buildings also often have less durable pointing than what is common today. Periodic maintenance also helps: touching up small damage in time prevents a small problem growing back into a bigger repair.
What materials and techniques do you use for this?
We work with professional materials and paint systems matched to the surface and the load it faces — not standard DIY-store paint. Where needed we combine that with specialised wood repair systems or primers matched to the specific cause.
Do you offer a guarantee on the repair work?
We always discuss guarantee terms upfront and set them out clearly in the quote, so you know exactly what to expect before we start.
Can you combine this with facade maintenance?
Yes, we combine this regularly. If we're already on site for facade maintenance, it's often more efficient to include this in the same schedule rather than planning it separately.
Is loose or weathered mortar joints in the facade worse on older or listed buildings?
This comes up more often on older properties, simply because the woodwork and facades have been exposed to the weather for longer and often already carry several layers of paint. On listed-building details we work with extra care to preserve the original profiling and appearance.
How do I spot early signs, before it's visibly bad?
Mortar that crumbles or comes loose under light pressure
Is a visual inspection enough, or is more investigation needed?
In most cases a thorough visual inspection by a professional painter is enough to determine the extent. If there's doubt about the underlying structure, we look a little deeper, for example by gently testing whether the wood can still bear weight.
Do you also work on commercial buildings and real estate, not just homes?
Yes. We fix loose or weathered mortar joints in the facade for private homes, VvE's and real estate such as commercial buildings and apartment blocks. The approach is similar, though larger properties are often planned in phases.
Can loose or weathered mortar joints in the facade affect the value of my home?
Visible damage to window frames, facades or woodwork can create a negative impression during a sale or valuation and raise questions about deferred maintenance. Addressing it in time avoids that discussion and keeps the property looking well cared for.
Do I need to prepare anything before you come round?
No, that's not necessary. Just make sure the spot is reasonably accessible; we handle everything else, from inspection to execution.
Do you use scaffolding if the spot is high up or hard to reach?
If the situation calls for it, we arrange that through GoedkoopSteigerHuren.nl, part of the same organisation as Painting Company. We combine that into a single request, which saves coordination steps.
How quickly can you come round for an assessment?
We respond to requests quickly and schedule the assessment as soon as possible in consultation with you. Request a free, no-obligation quote and we'll get in touch.
What's the difference between touching up and a full repair?
If the joints are still intact and only the facade paint or coating is outdated, regular facade maintenance is enough. As soon as mortar crumbles, shows gaps or comes loose, joint repair is needed before any further work on the facade.
Ready for your next project?
Request a free, no-obligation quote today. We get in touch, think along with you and deliver the best paintwork for your home, VvE or property.