The invention relates to a method for directionally compacting a weld seam (13) during build-up welding, in particular for the build-up welding of a substrate (4) of a component (1) that is compacted in a directional manner and comprises dendrites (31), which extend in a substrate dendrite direction (32), wherein the method parameters with respect to feed, laser power, weld beam diameter, powder beam focus and/or powder mass flow are designed such that said parameters result in a local orientation of the temperature gradient (28) to the solidification front (19), which is smaller than 45º with respect to the substrate dendrite direction (32) of the dendrites (31) in the substrate (4), wherein the relative speed is between 30 mm/mm and 100 mm/mm, preferably 50 mm/mm, and/or the power is between 200 W and 500 W, preferably 300 W, and/or the diameter of the laser beam on the surface of the substrate is between 3 mm and 6 mm, preferably 4 mm, and/or the mass feed rate is between 300 mg/mm and 600 mg/mm, preferably 400 mg/m..