"Banty" wrote in message
...
In article McZmg.2389$Wl.882@trnddc01, Ray says...

Our six-unit coop apartment building (brick and mortar) is 82 years old.
Recently some of the inside walls have begun to show water damage, which
indicates moisture coming in from the outside.

Someone told me this indicates we might need to have the building
"repointed." I've never been clear on what this means and what it
involves,
but I would guess that it's expensive.

I have also been told that silicone paint might be a less expensive
alternative to repointing.

Any guidance or experience appreciated.



Is it a block foundation? I've heard "repointing" as meaning sawing out
cracks
and opened seams and re-setting the masonry.

Banty


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Yes, repointing is the process of removing and replacing the mortar between
bricks.

There are different methods for removal and different recipies for mixing
the replacement mortar. Depending on the nature of the damage one way or
another might be better. Its best to have a mason look at it. Water might
be getting in a more common way like bad roof, chimney or window flashing or
just an overflowing bent gutter spilling on a bad spot. Waterproof
"elastomeric" paint will stop water intrusion along the face of the brick
but that may not be the penetration point and do you really want to paint
your brick. There may be a clear penetrating sealer or a clear acrylic
surface sealer you can use to retain the brick look.

Come to think of it, a standard building inspection of the type you get when
buying a home sounds like it would be a better value as you are unsure of
the source of the problem yet you are investigating solutions. Better to
spend a couple hunderd finding out all that is wrong than spending $2000 to
fix what aint broke.