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NCARB PDD Exam - Topic 1 Question 8 Discussion

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?
C) Remove loose mortar by hand raking the joints prior to repointing.
A) Carefully remove all mortar and repoint all joints to achieve a uniform appearance.
B) Completely remove deteriorated mortar with electric saws prior to repointing.

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?

Show Suggested Answer Hide 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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An
3 months ago
I feel A balances aesthetics and preservation well.
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Janna
3 months ago
Hand raking in option C preserves the wall's integrity.
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Veronika
3 months ago
Option B sounds efficient, but too aggressive for historic work.
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Belen
3 months ago
I agree, but option C seems safer for the bricks.
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Levi
4 months ago
I think option A is the best. Uniform appearance matters!
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Lorean
4 months ago
Repointing is crucial, but A) might be overkill.
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Julie
4 months ago
Hand raking is definitely the way to go, C) all the way!
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Lea
5 months ago
Surprised that they’d consider electric saws for such a delicate job!
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Francoise
5 months ago
I disagree, C) seems less invasive and more careful.
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Josphine
5 months ago
A) is the best choice for a uniform look!
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Mirta
5 months 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
5 months 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
5 months 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
6 months 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
6 months 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
6 months 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
6 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
6 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
6 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
7 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
7 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
7 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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Kami
7 months ago
C is definitely the most careful approach. We must respect history!
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James
7 months ago
Option A sounds good to me - repointing all the joints to get a uniform look would be the safest way to restore the wall.
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Kerry
8 months ago
Hmm, I'm not sure. Option B with the electric saws seems a bit risky for a historic landmark. I'd want to be really careful not to damage the bricks.
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Linsey
8 months ago
I think I'd go with option C. Removing the loose mortar by hand seems like the most careful and precise approach to preserve the existing brickwork.
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Eun
2 months ago
Option C is the way to go for preservation!
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Alton
2 months ago
Exactly! We want to maintain the wall's character.
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Sabina
2 months ago
Plus, it’s more precise than using power tools.
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Markus
3 months ago
Definitely! It keeps the bricks intact.
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Leigha
3 months ago
I agree, option C sounds the best. Hand raking is gentle.
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