How to Reface a Brick Stoop

Keep your brick stoop in good condition by periodically replacing old mortar with fresh mortar.

Over many years, your brick stoop will absorb moisture from rain and snow. In freezing weather, the water in the mortar will freeze. You can prevent further damage to your brick stoop by removing old mortar and replacing it with new mortar -- a process called repointing. If you wait too long, this continued freezing and thawing may cause the bricks to crack. Refacing the stoop by replacing damaged brick is the only way to fix this problem.

Things You'll Need

• Mason's bolster, multiple sizes
• Hammer
• Trowel
• Mortar
• Mortar mixer
• Brick
• Work gloves
• Dust mask
• Protective eye wear
• Stiff brush

Instructions

1. Remove the mortar around the damaged brick with a mason's bolster and hammer. Chip away the old mortar by pounding the point of the bolster into the mortar. Stop occasionally to sweep out the old mortar with your fingers or a brush. As the space between the mortar and the brick grows larger, switch to a larger bolster. Be careful not to damage any brick you don't intend to remove from the stairs. Brick that becomes cracked or damaged will absorb moisture more quickly, causing the brick to become more damaged with time.

2. Remove the damaged bricks after the mortar has been removed.

3. Mix mortar with a mortar mixer according to the manufacturer's instructions.

4. Lather the new bricks with wet mortar, using a trowel. Insert the new bricks into the empty cavities where the damaged bricks used to be. Press the brick down firmly so the mortar oozes out over the sides.

5. Scrape away the excess mortar using a trowel.

6. Wait one week for the mortar to cure, then wash away any excess mortar with a stiff brush and water.

Tips & Warnings

• If you plan to reface the entire brick surface, you must chisel out all the bricks and build up the bricks again one course at a time.

• Wear protective eye gear and a dust mask while mixing mortar. Wear protective gloves when working with wet mortar, and do not allow wet mortar to contact your skin.

References

• UK TV: How To Replace A Damaged Brick
• Highs Chimney: Masonry Chimney Damage and Repair
• Ask The Builder: Brick Steps