Brick Repointing (house, buy, cost)

[Xplrr]

Does anyone know if having a brick house repointed will help to keep the house more insulated?? We recently replaced all the single pane wood windows with double pane vinyls, and that has defenitely helped keep the drafts out, but the house is still freezing, and we haven't even dropped below 40 yet!!! There is probably no insulation between the exterior & interior walls, but since the exterior is brick and the interior is lathe & plaster, trying to add insulation will cost a small fortune!!

I've noticed quite a few cracks & gaps in the mortar and was wondering if they might be contributing to the problem. Will having them repointed help, or should I look to spend that money elsewhere??

[RiddleMeThis]

I don't know but having our house insulated and sheetrocked helped a LOT. If your house is old, there is no insulation (most likely) and that's the real problem.

[cmv138]

isn't there a type of insulation where they make a small hole and pump it in and then patch the hold up? i think i saw it on HGTV.

[FrmlyBklyn]

The most cost efficient thing to do is: find if there are any drafts, using an incense stick. Then take some caulk and plug up the leaks. Go to Home Depot and buy the pre-formed electrical outlet foam coverings, take off the cover plates and slap these over the outlets, then place the plate back on. If you have a basement....using caulk, or foam in a can, plug up all the pipe openings leading to the floor above. In the attic, if accessible, place down more insulation - you should have at least R-30 up there. If adding more insulation on top of existing layer, make sure you use "unfaced" insulation or you will have a mildew/rotting situation later on.

Repointing will extend the life of your facing (the brick) and keep it from falling apart.

[Xplrr]

Thanks for the tips, Bklyn. So repointing won't help with any of those aire leaks?? It's strictly cosmetic??

[FrmlyBklyn]

Originally Posted by Xplrr

Thanks for the tips, Bklyn. So repointing won't help with any of those aire leaks?? It's strictly cosmetic??

Depends on the severity of the cracks. If the cracks are that big and you risk losing a brick, then by all means I'd get that repaired, will also prevent water from leaking in. Usually the biggest culprit in a cold house is due to air leaks - the attic should be number one on your list. If you lay down extra insulation, don't compress it as that will reduce the R-value, sometimes significantly.
Check out Air Seal and Insulate with ENERGY STAR : ENERGY STAR for the do it yourself guide to tightening up your building "envelope". You could get a "blower - door" test done, might cost about $400 and the consultant will tell you where the major air leaks are and where there is little or no insulation. Plaster and lathe walls almost never have insulation, or at best were stuffed with old newspaper. One other thing, is your thermostat a digital modern one or of the old mercury variety? Sometimes the thermostat does not work accurately and may need upgrading. Also, the furnace could need some tuning up, depending on if you heat with oil or gas. Oil burners can be fickle.