Is November too late for repointing in Ottawa?
Is November too late for repointing in Ottawa?
November can work for repointing in Ottawa, but the window is narrow and the weather has to cooperate. The Ontario Building Code (O. Reg. 163/24, s.9.20.14.1) requires that mortar and masonry be kept at or above 5°C during installation and for not less than 48 hours after. That is the rule; whether a given November day meets it depends on the forecast, not the month.
A few things follow from that requirement. If temperatures are expected to drop below 5°C during the 48 hours after the mortar is laid, the mason needs to provide heat and enclosure to maintain that temperature. Section 9.20.14.2 also requires that the top of any uncompleted masonry be completely covered with a waterproofing material when work is not in progress. NRC building digest CBD-123 notes that set-accelerating and anti-freeze admixtures "should not be encouraged" for masonry work.
What to ask about before the job starts:
- How will the crew monitor temperature during and after installation?
- What heating and enclosure setup will they use if temperatures fall?
- How will uncompleted joints be covered at the end of each day?
- What happens to the schedule or price if a cold snap forces a pause?
November repointing is not ruled out by the Code, but it asks more of the mason and the planning.
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Masonry IQ -- Built from the Ontario Building Code, Ontario regulations and City of Ottawa sources and real construction experience. Answers are for informational purposes only and are not a professional assessment.
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