how to point a garden wall

[grawrc]

Now that I've dealt with the concrete blocks I have another problem and a request for advice. I have a low stone wall (I think it's brick faced with stone) with a railing on top round my front garden which needs some tlc. I've never done any pointing before but I don't imagine it's too hard. Do I clear  out any loose or damaged existing pointing and then replace it with new? What tools do I need? What mix should i use for the pointing? Should I wet the wall before applying the new pointing?

I tried my hand at puttying last week for the first time and that went well so fingers crossed!

[grawrc]

[BarriedaleNick]

You will need to brush out and remove anything loose - watering the wall helps to remove dust as well as helping the mortar to stick.
3 or 4 parts sand to cement is the usual mix..
You'll just need a trowel, something to mix your mortar on and a finishing tool (you can use anything rounded like a bit of hose or summat..

Youtube has some decent videos..

[grawrc]

Thanks Nick! I'll have a look on You tube.

[1066]

My OH sometimes mixes a bit of PVA into the mix so it adhers to the wall, particularly if it's very dry and old

[Ian Pearson]

Yes, PVA (eg wood glue) makes the mortar easier to work and more durable. Rake out the joints to about half an inch deep first.
Use a pointing trowel. Wet the wall first to control the suction (if made with a porous material it requires a lot of wetting) otherwise the mortar becomes unworkable within seconds of being put in place.
Flush pointing is straight forward. Weatherstruck pointing is trickier to get looking consistent, and it's worth getting a bit of practice first on part of the wall that doesn't show.

[BarriedaleNick]

...just to add that I would avoid a really hot day (or at least the hottest part of the day) as the mortar goes off very quick and if you are inexperienced like me it does take a while!