Question 1

Why is my mortar crumbling out of the joints in Kanata?

Accepted Answer

Crumbling mortar joints have more than one possible cause, and a mason looking at your wall is the only one who can say what is driving it in your case. NRC building digest CBD-123 notes that "shelling of the mortar surface and general crumbling or powdering of mortar are evidence of advanced deterioration due to freezing," so frost cycling is one mechanism worth ruling in or out, but it is not the only one. A few things that shape what the repair involves: - How deep the deterioration goes.

Question 2

Mortar joints sitting back from the brick face on my Kanata house?

Accepted Answer

Joints that sit back from the brick face are a sign that the mortar has receded or eroded, leaving a gap between the mortar surface and the plane of the brick. A mason looking at the wall can tell you how far back the joints have gone and whether repointing is the right response. Published Ontario contractor pricing, 2025–26 puts repointing at about $10 to $30 per sq ft of wall, with the middle of the published ranges around $15 to $25.

Question 3

Is Type N or Type S mortar used for brick veneer in Ontario?

Accepted Answer

Ontario's Building Code (O. Reg. 163/24, Table 9.20.3.2.-A) specifies mortar type by location and function. For brick veneer above ground, the Code calls for Type N or Type S mortar.

Question 4

Is silica dust from grinding mortar a concern on Ottawa jobs?

Accepted Answer

Yes, silica dust from grinding and cutting mortar is a regulated workplace hazard in Ontario, not just a nuisance. Under O. Reg. 490/09, silica is a designated substance, and tuckpointing and surface grinding, along with dry mortar removal with an electric or pneumatic cutting device, are classified as Type 2 operations under the Ontario silica guideline. Controlling exposure is the employer's duty to its workers.

Question 5

Should old Ottawa brick get lime mortar or Portland cement mortar?

Accepted Answer

For older brick in Ottawa, the choice between lime and Portland cement mortar depends on the wall. The Ontario Building Code (O. Reg. 163/24, 9.20.3.1.(1)) requires mortar to conform to CSA A179 and that lime used in mortar be hydrated; it sets no requirement about matching old mortar or using lime over Portland. The guidance that does address historic brick comes from heritage district plans.

Repointing & Mortar

Why is my mortar crumbling out of the joints in Kanata?

Mortar joints sitting back from the brick face on my Kanata house?

Is Type N or Type S mortar used for brick veneer in Ontario?

Is silica dust from grinding mortar a concern on Ottawa jobs?

Should old Ottawa brick get lime mortar or Portland cement mortar?