Get matched with local masons for repointing, spalled brick, stone and brick veneer, heritage brick, steps and garden walls. See what the Building Code asks of a veneer wall, when mortar work can be done, and what Ottawa's heritage districts say about repointing.
Free matching. No phone number needed; masons reply by email. We do not inspect, license or screen the masons we forward requests to.
What Is Your Brick Doing?
Pick what you see. We do not diagnose a wall from a description; a mason looking at it can. This shows which job type to ask for quotes on, and what to ask.
Mortar joints crumbling or set back
Mortar that powders, crumbles or has worn back from the face of the brick.
"Shelling of the mortar surface and general crumbling or powdering of mortar are evidence of advanced deterioration due to freezing." (NRC Canadian Building Digest 123)
Job type to ask quotes for
Repointing & Tuckpointing
What to ask
Ask which mortar type the quote uses and why, how the old joints are cut out and how the dust is controlled (grinding mortar is a regulated silica operation), and on older brick whether lime-based mortar fits your wall.
The outer face of some bricks has flaked, peeled or broken away.
Spalling from salts "is very similar in appearance to that produced by frost action, and in many cases it is difficult to determine which mechanism has caused it." (NRC Canadian Building Digest 30)
Job type to ask quotes for
Spalled Brick Replacement
What to ask
Ask how many bricks the quote counts, where replacement brick will come from and how close it will match in size, colour and texture, and what the minimum charge is for a small job. Ask before anyone applies a sealer: the same digest explains how a water-repellent coating can trap salts behind the face.
A white, powdery or crusty bloom on the face of the brick, often after winter.
"Efflorescence (CBD 2) on masonry walls is usually at a peak during the late winter months." (NRC Canadian Building Digest 123)
Job type to ask quotes for
You choose: the deposit alone does not say what work is needed
What to ask
Pick the job type yourself: the deposit alone does not say what work, if any, is needed. Ask the mason to look at where water is getting into the wall before anyone seals or blasts it; the Centretown heritage plan calls sand blasting "not an appropriate method".
A brick veneer is one layer of brick tied to the wall behind it, with a gap between them so water that gets through can drain out. These are the Ontario Building Code minimums for a brick veneer over a wood frame, new or rebuilt.
1
Brick at least 70 mm thick"Masonry veneer shall consist of solid masonry units not less than 70 mm thick." OBC 9.20.6.4.(1)
2
An air space of at least 25 mmVeneer over a wood-frame wall "shall have not less than a 25 mm air space behind the veneer." The Code sets a minimum here, not a maximum. OBC 9.20.6.4.(2)
3
Metal ties into the framingCorrosion-resistant straps at least 0.76 mm thick and 22 mm wide. Maximum spacing, vertical by horizontal: 400 by 800 mm, 500 by 600 mm, or 600 by 400 mm. OBC 9.20.9.5.(1), Table 9.20.9.5
4
Weep holes no more than 800 mm apart"Weep holes spaced not more than 800 mm apart" at the bottom of the air space, so water that gets behind the brick can drain out. OBC 9.20.13.8.(1)
5
Flashing under the weep holesOver a wood frame, the flashing runs from at least 5 mm beyond the face of the wall below to a point 150 mm up the frame wall. OBC 9.20.13.6.(2)
6
10 mm mortar joints, type N or SJoints for clay brick are 10 mm, within -5 mm to +10 mm. Above-ground veneer takes type N or S mortar. OBC 9.20.4.1, Table 9.20.3.2.-A
Schematic, not to scale. Clauses are from the Ontario Building Code (O. Reg. 163/24). Older solid-brick and stone walls are built differently; this drawing is for brick veneer over a wood frame.
Ontario Building Code minimums for brick veneer over a wood frame
Part
Requirement
Clause
Brick at least 70 mm thick
"Masonry veneer shall consist of solid masonry units not less than 70 mm thick."
OBC 9.20.6.4.(1)
An air space of at least 25 mm
Veneer over a wood-frame wall "shall have not less than a 25 mm air space behind the veneer." The Code sets a minimum here, not a maximum.
OBC 9.20.6.4.(2)
Metal ties into the framing
Corrosion-resistant straps at least 0.76 mm thick and 22 mm wide. Maximum spacing, vertical by horizontal: 400 by 800 mm, 500 by 600 mm, or 600 by 400 mm.
OBC 9.20.9.5.(1), Table 9.20.9.5
Weep holes no more than 800 mm apart
"Weep holes spaced not more than 800 mm apart" at the bottom of the air space, so water that gets behind the brick can drain out.
OBC 9.20.13.8.(1)
Flashing under the weep holes
Over a wood frame, the flashing runs from at least 5 mm beyond the face of the wall below to a point 150 mm up the frame wall.
OBC 9.20.13.6.(2)
10 mm mortar joints, type N or S
Joints for clay brick are 10 mm, within -5 mm to +10 mm. Above-ground veneer takes type N or S mortar.
OBC 9.20.4.1, Table 9.20.3.2.-A
The Code lists mortar types N and S for new work. It has no rule about lime mortar or matching old mortar; that guidance comes from the City's heritage district plans (see below).
Is It Repointing Weather?
Ontario's Building Code sets one temperature rule for mortar and masonry, and it applies to repointing and new brick alike.
5°C
Mortar and masonry kept at or above 5°C while the work is done.OBC 9.20.14.1.(1)
48 h
...and for at least 48 hours after it is laid.OBC 9.20.14.1.(1)
No frozen
"No frozen material shall be used in mortar mix."OBC 9.20.14.1.(2)
Covered
The top of unfinished masonry exposed to the weather is covered with a waterproofing material when work stops.OBC 9.20.14.2.(1)
Late in the season, ask the mason how the wall will be kept at 5°C for the two days after the work, and what happens to the schedule if it cannot be.
A National Research Council digest on cold-weather masonry describes the sign of mortar that froze: "The familiar crows-foot pattern on the surface of a mortar joint indicates freezing." (NRC Canadian Building Digest 123)
Brick in a Heritage District
Ottawa has over 300 individually designated buildings and 20 heritage conservation districts. Under the Ontario Heritage Act, "alter" includes to restore and repair, so masonry work there can need City approval.
Centretown & Minto Park
Lime-based mortar should be used when repointing historic brick and masonry as cement mortar prevents moisture from escaping through the mortar and causes brick damage.
Lists "repointing and foundation repairs using heritage methods and materials" as regular maintenance that does not need a heritage permit.
Wilbrod/Laurier
New mortar must match the original in colour, pointing method and composition (soft, lime rich mortar rather than a cement based mortar).
Lists "regular on-going building maintenance such as repointing and foundation repairs" as not needing a Heritage Alteration Permit.
Daly Avenue
Uses the same repointing wording as Wilbrod/Laurier.
Same repointing and foundation-repair maintenance exemption.
We have read these three plans. The other 17 districts' plans may differ, and individually designated (Part IV) properties are governed by their own designation by-law. Check yours, or ask the City's heritage staff (contact details are on ottawa.ca).
Outside heritage rules, repointing and veneer work are not named on either of the City's building-permit lists, so ask the City's building permit staff. Structural repairs are on the permit list, and designated heritage buildings and buildings in a Heritage District Overlay are not subject to the City's permit exemptions.
Sources: Ontario Heritage Act s.1 and s.42; Centretown & Minto Park HCD Plan (2022) 6.2 and 13.1; Wilbrod/Laurier HCD Plan (2015) 4.4.4.6 and 4.8; Daly Avenue HCD Plan (2015); ottawa.ca heritage pages, read 2026-09-30.
Masonry Jobs We Match
Chimneys are covered on ottawafireplaces.com, and retaining walls, interlock and patios on ottawapatios.com.
Masonry jobs and published Ontario contractor price ranges
Published Ontario contractor pricing for 2025–26 puts repointing at about $10 to $30 per square foot of wall, most often $15 to $25. Upper storeys cost more, and heritage work in lime mortar runs about $15 to $45 per square foot. These are published figures, not rates, and yours will differ. Ask for at least two written quotes for the same wall area, the same mortar and the same joint finish.
Do I need a building permit to repoint my house?
Repointing is not named on the City of Ottawa's list of building permit projects or on its list of projects that do not need one, so ask the City's building permit staff if you are unsure. Under the Building Code Act, "construct" includes repair, and the City lists "structural repairs or alterations" as permit projects. Designated heritage buildings and properties in a Heritage District Overlay are not subject to the City's exemptions.
Repointing in a heritage district: what does the district plan say?
It depends on your district's plan. Under the Ontario Heritage Act, "alter" includes repair, but a district plan can exempt minor alterations. The Centretown and Minto Park, Wilbrod/Laurier and Daly Avenue plans all list regular maintenance such as repointing as not needing a heritage permit; Centretown adds "using heritage methods and materials". Ottawa has 20 districts and we read only those three, so check your district's plan or ask the City's heritage staff. For a Part IV property, check your designation by-law.
What mortar does the Building Code call for?
Ontario's Building Code mortar table (Table 9.20.3.2.-A) lists type N or S for masonry veneer and non-loadbearing walls above ground, type S for exterior loadbearing walls above ground, and type S for foundation walls at or below ground. Lime used in mortar must be hydrated. The Code has no rule about matching old mortar or using lime mortar for repointing; for historic walls, check your heritage district plan.
