If you've been looking at your house lately and thinking the brickwork looks a bit tired, it's probably time to consider gevel voegen. It's one of those home maintenance tasks that people tend to put off until a brick literally starts feeling loose, but honestly, getting ahead of it saves you a massive headache down the line. Most of us don't spend our weekends staring at the mortar between our bricks, but that stuff is basically the glue holding your home's exterior together.
When the joints start to crumble, it's not just an eyesore. It's an invitation for moisture to move in, and once water gets behind those bricks, you're looking at damp walls, mold, and potentially some very expensive structural repairs. So, let's talk about what goes into repointing your facade and why it's actually a pretty satisfying project to get done.
Why the joints matter more than you think
It's easy to think of the mortar as just "filler," but it actually performs a pretty important job. Good masonry allows the building to breathe. If the gevel voegen are done correctly, they help manage how water sits on the surface and how it evaporates. When that mortar starts to crack or fall out—a process often caused by years of rain, frost, and the house naturally settling—the "seal" is broken.
You'll usually notice the damage first on the side of the house that catches the most wind and rain. The mortar might look sandy, or you might see actual gaps where the material has just disappeared. If you can poke a screwdriver into a joint and it turns to dust, you've waited long enough. It's time to get to work.
Picking the right style for your home
One thing most homeowners don't realize is that there isn't just one way to finish a joint. The style of gevel voegen you choose can completely change how your house looks. If you have a modern home, you probably want something clean and simple. If you live in an older, more traditional building, you might want something a bit more decorative.
The most common one you'll see is the "platvolvoeg." It's exactly what it sounds like—the mortar is filled flush with the brick and then smoothed off. It's durable, looks clean, and is generally the most budget-friendly option. Then there's the "schaduwvoeg" (shadow joint), which is slightly angled to catch the light and give the wall more depth.
If you're feeling fancy or own a historical property, you might look into a "knipvoeg" or "snijvoeg." These are much more labor-intensive because the mason actually cuts the edges of the mortar to create a raised, sharp line that sits proud of the brick. It looks incredibly sharp and high-end, but keep in mind it'll cost you a bit more because of the extra hours involved.
The messy reality of the process
I'm not going to sugarcoat it: gevel voegen is a messy, dusty business. The first step is always getting the old, crappy mortar out. This is usually done with a special grinding tool or, in some cases, a pneumatic hammer. You have to get deep enough—usually about one and a half times the width of the joint—to make sure the new mortar has something solid to grip onto.
If you're doing this while living in the house, keep your windows shut. Seriously. The amount of dust that comes off a facade during the grinding phase is incredible. A professional crew will usually use vacuum attachments to keep the mess down, but even then, you'll be finding grit in your garden for a week.
Once the old stuff is out, the wall needs a good cleaning. You can't just slap new mortar into a dusty hole; it won't stick. Most pros will give the wall a quick power wash or a thorough rinse to ensure the bricks are clean and slightly damp. That dampness is key because it stops the dry bricks from sucking all the moisture out of the new mortar too quickly, which would cause it to crack.
Mix it right or regret it later
The actual mortar mix is where the magic happens. It's not just "cement and sand." Depending on the age of your house, you might need a lime-based mortar rather than a modern Portland cement mix. If you use a mortar that's too "hard" on an old house with soft bricks, the bricks will actually crack because they can't expand and contract naturally.
Color is the other big factor. When people talk about gevel voegen, they often forget that the mortar makes up about 15% to 25% of the total surface area of your wall. That's a huge chunk! A slightly darker grey can make a red brick pop, while a beige or sandy tone can give the whole house a warmer, more Mediterranean feel. Most contractors will put a few test patches on your wall first so you can see how the color looks once it's dry. Always wait for it to dry before deciding—wet mortar looks totally different from the finished product.
DIY vs. calling in the pros
You might be wondering if you can handle gevel voegen yourself. Technically, yes, you can. It's not rocket science, but it is physically exhausting and requires a lot of patience. If you've got a small garden wall or a low-level shed, go for it! It's a great way to learn the rhythm of the work.
However, if you're looking at the entire front of a two-story house, you might want to think twice. Working on scaffolding all day is no joke, and getting a consistent finish across a large area is harder than it looks. If your technique changes halfway through because your arm is tired, it'll show once the mortar dries. A professional team can usually knock out a whole house in a fraction of the time it would take a DIYer, and they'll have the gear to handle the dust and the height safely.
What's it going to cost?
Pricing for gevel voegen varies quite a bit depending on where you live and the state of your bricks. Generally, you're charged per square meter. A basic repointing job is pretty manageable, but the price goes up if the old mortar is incredibly hard to remove or if you've chosen one of those fancy decorative joints I mentioned earlier.
You should also factor in the cost of cleaning. A lot of people choose to have their bricks steam-cleaned or sandblasted before the new joints go in. It makes sense—if you're going to the trouble of refreshing the mortar, you might as well have the bricks looking like new too. It's an extra expense, but the transformation is usually pretty dramatic.
Keeping it looking good
Once the job is done and your house looks fantastic, you'll want it to stay that way. The best thing you can do for your new gevel voegen is to make sure your gutters are working properly. Overflowing gutters are the number one enemy of masonry. If water is constantly cascading down a specific part of your wall, it'll wear down even the best mortar in a few years.
Some people also choose to "impregnate" their walls after repointing. This involves spraying a water-repellent coating over the bricks and joints. It's clear, so you won't see it, but it acts like a raincoat for your house. Water just beads off instead of soaking in, which keeps the wall dry and prevents moss or algae from growing.
Final thoughts
At the end of the day, investing in gevel voegen is about more than just curb appeal. Sure, it makes your house look ten times better and probably adds some value if you're looking to sell, but it's really about protection. Your home is likely your biggest investment, and keeping the shell of it watertight is just common sense.
It might not be the most "glamorous" renovation project—it's certainly not as fun as picking out a new kitchen—but the peace of mind you get when a storm hits and you know your walls are solid? That's worth every penny. So, take a walk around your house this weekend, get up close to the brickwork, and see how those joints are holding up. If they're looking a bit worse for wear, don't wait. Your house will thank you for it.