Things You'll Need:
- Mortar
- Gloves
- Latex additive
- Safety glasses
- Hammer
- Chisel
- Wire brush
- Brick trowel
- 3/8-inch pointing tool
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Step 1
Use a chisel to get rid of the mortar.Remove the loose brick. Put on your safety goggles and lightly chip away at the mortar. Vacuum out chunks of mortar, dirt and dust from the cavity until it is clean and debris-free. Remove any mortar from the brick with a wire bristle brush and water. Dampen the cavity with a wet cloth.
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Step 2
A brick trowel.Mix a small amount of mortar with water and latex additive. If you mix too much mortar at once, it will dry out. Smooth a 1/2-inch layer of mortar on the sides of the cavity, and the top and bottom of the brick, with a brick trowel.
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Step 3
Slide the brick back into the cavity. Use a trowel and pointing tool to pack the oozing mortar. Add additional mortar to the joint.
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Step 4
Broken bricks can be repaired.Clear the mortar and crumbling material from a broken or cracked brick. Chisel the pieces out, then clean the area with a wire brush. Spray down the area with a hose.
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Step 5
Spray the newly-mortared area with a garden hose.Fill the crack solidly with mortar and a trowel, just as you would to fill a joint. Make the mortar level with the brick-and-mortar areas around the repair. The mortar will take about a week to cure; spray it with a hose a couple of times a day during the week.
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Step 6
A new brick is often easily spotted.Replace a brick completely, if necessary. The replacement brick will be evident, unless you can find an old brick that matches. Follow Steps 1 through 3 to install a new brick.
