Raking Out Old Mortar in Ballarat

What raking out old mortar in Ballarat actually involves

The code says most lime mortars, and some weaker cement and composition mortars, can be raked out by hand or with oscillating blade tools such as mortar saws and multi-tools. The code names hand raking as well as oscillating blade tools, and the depth rule applies whichever is used.

Dust

Mortar and bricks contain crystalline silica. WorkSafe Victoria says effective dust controls, such as on-tool water suppression or on-tool dust extraction, need to be used when cutting, grinding, crushing, drilling or demolishing materials that contain it.

Lime is not harmless either

The Heritage Council's code on lime mortars says they include hazardous materials, limes and pozzolans, and that appropriate safety measures must be adopted in accordance with the Safety Data Sheets. Ask which tool, how dust is controlled and where the waste goes.

Ask the provider to name the tool for raking out and the dust control in the quote, so they are on paper before anyone starts.

Raking Out Old Mortar in Ballarat — common questions

Can joints be cut out with an angle grinder?

The code says angle grinders and disc cutters are not acceptable when oscillating blade tools can be used successfully.

How deep must the joint be raked?

The code says 2.5 times the joint width, with a minimum depth of 20 mm.

What does WorkSafe say about the dust?

That effective dust controls, such as on-tool water suppression or on-tool dust extraction, need to be used when cutting or grinding materials that contain crystalline silica.