The Side Gate

The side gate has been a concern for nearly a year.  It's rotten and holds very little worth - it's not strong enough for any security and it is rather grim to look at.  Until.... our neighbour suggested he could make us a gate to match his. And this is the fabulous result. It still needs a top plinth that will span across both gates, but it's looking great so far.

The original side gate from the back garden

 

The original side gate from the front of the house

New gate

Door furniture

Repointing the Brickwork

Definition: Repointing is the process of renewing mortar joints in masonry construction. Over time, weathering and decay causes voids in the joints between masonry units (usually bricks) allowing the undesirable ingress of water. Water entering through these voids can cause significant damage throughfreeze/thaw cycles and from salt dissolution and deposition. Repointing is also called pointing, or pointing up, although these terms more properly refer to the finishing step in new construction.


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Repointing is one of those must do jobs and as it's the second winter in the house, we decided to get the outside ready for the weather ahead.  It's like putting a top coat or over coat on the brickwork.


Here's some snaps before and after the pointing.  

Back after pointing

Back before pointing

Side before pointing

Side after pointing

Closer look before re-pointing

And after