Brick Repairs: Your Ultimate Guide
Brick and concrete wear out over time, just like any other material. Where you live and how you use your masonry might be more noticeable and cause more damage. Anyone who has brick or concrete in their home or property needs to know how to fix it. You don’t have to fix the bricks yourself, but you can in some cases. You should know when you need to get bricks fixed, how to do it, and how much it will cost.
The good news is that damaged bricks can be repaired. A few cracked bricks do not require total demolition of the building. However, you should know a few things before breaking out the chisel and mortar. You must first determine the extent of the damage, the source of the damage, and whether or not the damage can be repaired.
First, determine if a simple fix is all you need or whether your brick requires more attention. It’s really simple to repair minor fractures or chips on a few bricks. With a few new bricks, you may be able to save the structure. Some constructions, on the other hand, may need considerably more effort. However, certain constructions may require far more work. If your construction is load-bearing or involves replacing more than a few bricks, you might consider hiring an expert. It is preferable to get assistance from a professional than risk harming yourself or the building. Several frequent causes of brick deterioration extend beyond normal wear and tear.
In addition to normal wear and tear, bricks can be damaged for the following typical reasons:
- Contraction rates or expansion of different types of mortar.
- Damage due to salt and moisture.
- Settling or movement of the house foundation.
How to Repair a Brick Wall at a Smaller Scale
You might be able to fix your bricks yourself if they don’t fit into one of the categories listed above. You may not need to call a professional for minor repairs, such as repairing a few cracked bricks. The best course of action is to get assistance if you’re not familiar with masonry or do-it-yourself jobs of this nature.
Materials needed for brick repair
- Replacement brick that matches your existing brick wall
- Mortar mix
- A mortar mix pigment
- Wire brush
- Pointing trowel
- Joint strike tool
- Eye protection
- Work gloves
- Drill
- Cold chisel
- Hammer
Taking Out the Brick
You have to take the brick out first. Ensure you have your eye protection and leather gloves on so you don’t hurt yourself. If you’re worried about breathing in dust, you can also wear a simple face mask. Use a cold chisel and a heavy hammer to start. To get rid of the brick, break it into pieces, but be careful not to break any other bricks. If you need to take out more than one brick, start with the one on top and work your way down. Once all the old bricks have been removed, chisel out the old mortar. Clean it up as much as you can. Once the old mortar is gone, use a wire brush to clean the joints thoroughly. Use a vacuum to clean out the whole hole, and then run water through it. You can now put your new brick in.
Putting in a New Brick
You can mix your mortar with colour if you need to. Put mortar on the bottom and sides of the brick opening with your pointing trowel. About an inch of mortar should be enough. Wet your new brick a little to absorb the mortar better. Slide it into the opening without concern. Mortar is meant to seep out. Tap the brick until it is flat with the surrounding bricks. If necessary, apply additional mortar with the pointed trowel. The mortar must reach the surface of the brick. Then, you may use the joint strike tool to confirm that the mortar joints match the surrounding mortar joints. When the mortar is nearly dry, use the wire brush to remove excess. Lastly, one of the most important things to do is to keep the new brick wet so it can harden. After you’re done with the mortar, spray water over the whole repair. Make sure the brick stays moist for the next three days. You can put a piece of plastic over the repair to keep the moisture in.
Brick and concrete repairs appear complicated, but they’re actually not that difficult. With the proper equipment and a solid grasp of repairing bricks, you can perform simple repairs on your own. If you need the assistance of a professional, be sure to choose someone with positive evaluations and a reasonable fee. You may be able to perform certain repairs on your own, but you should not risk injury or property loss. If you do not feel comfortable doing the repairs or if they are labour-intensive, you should hire an expert.