Things You'll Need:
- Chisel
- Hammer
- Paint scraper
- Wire brush
- Bucket and mixing tools for mortar
- Spray bottle of water
- Tuck point trowel
- Brick jointer
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Step 1
Clean out the cracked or crumbled mortar from the joints. A paint scraper helps to remove the surface particles, but you need a chisel and hammer to thoroughly clean the area. Go to a depth of 1/2 inch up to 1 inch. Use a wire brush to thoroughly remove bits of old mortar.
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Step 2
Read the directions for mixing the mortar. If the mixture is too soupy, add more mix. It should be firm enough to lift from the bucket with a trowel.
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Step 3
Mist the area to be mortared with water. Make certain that the interior of the opening is damp before you add the mortar. The dry brick surface could cause the mortar to be compromised by leaching out the water in the mortar. Drying too fast weakens the mortar.
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Step 4
Fill your trowel with mortar and lift it next to the top edge of the lower brick you are mortaring. Scrape the mortar into the opening with a tuck pointer. Flatten the surface smooth by going sideways with the tuck point trowel.
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Step 5
Give the mortar some time to set up slightly. You can check this by seeing if your thumb leaves an impression. Make certain that it's not too hard, or you won't be able to make the proper joint. If it's too soft, it won't hold the impression.
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Step 6
Press the rounded end of a brick jointer into the mortar to get the concave edge. You need to clean any excess mortar off the brick.
