1.   Make sure any old mortar has bee cleaned off the stonework before using new mortar.

2.   Old mortar, chipped from the wall, still crunched underfoot.

3.   First the old mortar must come out.

4.   Mold has cracked old mortar.

5.   Most authorities advocate removing the old mortar to a depth of about two and a half times the width of the joint.

6.   Q. I am repairing my brick steps by chipping out old mortar and putting in new mortar between the bricks.

7.   Q. I know I have to repoint my fieldstone retaining wall, chipping out old mortar and installing new.

8.   That is, chip out old mortar and insert new.

9.   The bricks sound as if they need repointing, which entails digging out the old mortar and inserting new mortar.

10.   This process, known as spalling, can be stopped by chiseling out the old mortar and repointing it.