NCARB PDD Exam - Topic 1 Question 8 Discussion

Actual exam question for NCARB's PDD exam

Question #: 8
Topic #: 1

[All PDD Questions]

An architect is rehabilitating a historic federal landmark that requires repairs to a garden wall. The existing brick appears to be in good condition; the mortar shows significant signs of deterioration.

Which strategy should the architect propose to repair the damaged wall?

ACarefully remove all mortar and repoint all joints to achieve a uniform appearance.

BCompletely remove deteriorated mortar with electric saws prior to repointing.

CRemove loose mortar by hand raking the joints prior to repointing.

Show Suggested Answer

Suggested Answer: C

(PDD) Study Guide Reference

For historic masonry rehabilitation, the accepted approach (e.g., NPS Preservation Brief 2: Repointing Mortar Joints in Historic Masonry) is to hand-rake deteriorated mortar to a proper depth (typically 2--2 the joint width or until sound mortar is reached), avoid power-saw removal that can damage historic brick, and match the original mortar in composition, hardness, color, and tooling.

A is incorrect because removing all mortar for a ''uniform appearance'' is unnecessary and risks damaging sound joints.

B is incorrect because electric saws can chip and over-cut historic brick arrises, violating preservation best practices.

C is correct: careful hand removal of loose/deteriorated mortar followed by repointing with compatible mortar is the recommended method.

PDD Reference: Historic fabric protection under ''Codes/Regulations & Standards---Historic preservation,'' detailing of masonry repairs in construction documents (Division 04), and QA/QC specifications for repointing.

by Gene at Nov 25, 2025, 04:12 AM

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Lea

12 hours ago

Surprised that they’d consider electric saws for such a delicate job!

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Francoise

6 days ago

I disagree, C) seems less invasive and more careful.

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Josphine

11 days ago

A) is the best choice for a uniform look!

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Mirta

16 days ago

C) Remove loose mortar by hand raking the joints prior to repointing. Careful, don't want to accidentally uncover any hidden treasure in those historic walls!

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Dannette

21 days ago

B) Completely remove deteriorated mortar with electric saws prior to repointing. Might as well bring in the power tools and get the job done quickly!

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Miriam

26 days ago

C) Remove loose mortar by hand raking the joints prior to repointing. Gotta love a good old-fashioned manual labor approach!

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Yuette

1 month ago

A) Carefully remove all mortar and repoint all joints to achieve a uniform appearance. This is the most comprehensive approach to restoring the historic wall.

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Alecia

1 month ago

B) Completely remove deteriorated mortar with electric saws prior to repointing. This will ensure a thorough and efficient repair process.

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Pilar

1 month ago

I think option C is the safest bet. Hand raking seems less likely to disturb the existing brick, which is what we learned in our preservation workshop.

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Ressie

2 months ago

I feel like option B is too aggressive. I recall a case study where they used electric saws and it damaged the surrounding bricks.

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Mattie

2 months ago

I'm not entirely sure, but I think option A could lead to issues with the wall's integrity. We practiced a similar question where removing too much mortar caused problems.

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Ciara

2 months ago

I'm a bit confused on this one. I'd have to think through the pros and cons of each approach more carefully before deciding.

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Brittney

2 months ago

I'm leaning towards C. Carefully removing the loose mortar by hand seems like the best way to maintain the integrity of the historic brickwork.

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Deonna

2 months ago

I remember we discussed the importance of preserving the original materials in class. I think option C might be the best choice since it suggests a careful approach.

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Willow

2 months ago

C) Remove loose mortar by hand raking the joints prior to repointing. This will help preserve the existing bricks and ensure a more uniform appearance.

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