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Repointing brick is recommended every 25 to 30 years. Professional repointing can easily last this long if you're following all basic brick and stone maintenance tips. However, you may find that you need repointing more often if you live in an area that sees harsh weather or if the construction of your home was rushed. Additionally, if you DIY your brick repointing, you’re more likely to find that you need additional repointing more often, so every 10 to 15 years might be more appropriate.

There are many things to look for when buying a brick house. Here are some of the key things you should pay close attention to.

• Lintels: Look for cracks, holes, displacement, or corrosion

• Mortar: Check to see if the mortar is old and crumbling, in need of repointing, or new. Also check to see if the mortar has a professional finish.

• Walls: Check along each side of the house. If a wall is bowing outward, this indicates a severe issue such as foundation damage or that the walls are ready to fall.

• Cracks: If there are stair step cracks in the brickwork, this indicates an unstable foundation.

If you want to make your home eco-friendly, enjoy low maintenance, and love the fact that its looks will take people’s breath away (and not because they were trying to blow your house down), then a modern brick home is right for you. You can hire a mason to get the building process started for your brick home.

But if you’re not fond of the color and don’t want to deal with the process of repointing or other repairs, consider going with vinyl or wood. These materials offer a lower cost. While they tend to require more maintenance, they don’t cost nearly the same as exterior brick house repair.

A traditional German schmear uses mortar, making it unsuitable for adherence to painted surfaces. Professionals recommend removing any existing paint before applying mortar. However, you can rough up the painted surface and clean it to test if the mortar will stick. Remember that the underlying paint's texture and color may affect the schmear's final appearance—so starting with a bare brick wall will ensure the ideal finish.