The short answer
Repointing done correctly with a compatible mortar typically lasts 20–30 years, and often far longer — well-prepared lime pointing on a wall that sheds water well can last 50 to 100 years. The catch is the mortar: a cement mortar that is too hard for soft, older brick can begin to fail within 10–20 years, because the wall can no longer breathe and weather attacks the brick face instead of the joint. Lifespan depends on matching the mortar to the wall, raking the joints out to a sound depth, and good detailing that keeps water off the wall. The honest answer is a range, because a correctly specified repoint can outlast a poorly matched one several times over.
Lifespan is not really about the mortar's age — it is about whether the mortar suits the wall. Get that right and repointing lasts decades; get it wrong and it can fail in a fraction of the time. Here is what governs how long it lasts.
How long it lasts
- Done right20–30 yrs, often longer
- Good lime pointing50–100 yrs
- Cement on soft brickcan fail in 10–20 yrs
- Key factormortar matched to wall
- Also mattersraking depth & water shedding
Why the mortar decides the lifespan
The single biggest factor is whether the mortar is matched to the brick. Older brick (broadly pre-1919) is soft and porous and was built with lime mortar, which is flexible and breathable — it lets moisture escape through the joint and copes with small movement. Put a hard cement mortar on that wall and the joint becomes stronger than the brick: moisture can no longer leave through the joint, so it evaporates through the brick face instead, causing spalling, flaking and trapped damp. That is why cement on old brick can start failing in 10–20 years, while a correctly specified lime repoint on the same wall can last 50 years or more.
| Scenario | Typical lifespan | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lime mortar, period wall | 50–100 years | breathable, flexible, water sheds |
| Cement mortar, modern brick | 20–30 years | suited to harder brick |
| Cement on soft old brick | 10–20 years (can fail early) | too hard; traps moisture |
General lifespans for guidance; actual life depends on wall, exposure and workmanship. Source: SPAB and trade repointing guidance.
What else makes it last
- Raking out properly: joints cut back to a sound depth give the new mortar something to key into; a shallow skim over old mortar fails quickly.
- Right joint finish: a weather-struck or flush joint sheds water; a poorly formed recess can hold it.
- Curing conditions: lime in particular needs the right weather and protection while it cures, not rushed work in frost or baking sun.
- Keeping water off the wall: sound gutters, copings and flashings stop water saturating the joints in the first place.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does repointing last?
Done correctly with a compatible mortar, repointing typically lasts 20–30 years and often longer. Well-prepared lime pointing on a wall that sheds water well can last 50 to 100 years. A cement mortar that is too hard for soft old brick can begin to fail within 10–20 years.
Does lime mortar last longer than cement?
On older soft brick, yes — correctly applied lime pointing can last 50 years or more, while cement on the same wall can fail in 10–20 years because it traps moisture. On harder modern brick, cement mortar is suitable and lasts well.
What makes repointing fail early?
The most common cause is a mortar harder than the brick — typically cement on soft old brickwork — which traps moisture and damages the brick face. Shallow raking out, poor joint finish and water-saturated walls also shorten its life.
Sources & further reading
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific wall. They are guidance, not a quotation.