How to Repair Brick Walls
Over time, the mortar that holds your brick wall together may become weak or begin to chip away; this is normal wear and tear but should be repaired as soon as possible to save the bond between the bricks. Using some common tools, mortar and a few important steps, you can repair the brick wall on your own. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Paint scrapper
- Stiff-bristled brush
- Garden hose
- Mortar
- Brick trowel
- Rag or sponge
- Soft-bristled brush
- Tarp
Instructions
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1
Use a paint scraper to remove as much as the loose mortar as possible. Scrape out to a depth of 3/4 inch.
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2
Sweep away the debris and small mortar pieces away with a stiff-bristled brush. Spray the wall with water from a garden hose until the brick is damp and begins to drip water. Dry bricks will suck the moisture out of new mortar, so it's important to have wet bricks.
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3
Mix the mortar following the directions on the bag of mortar. Add water to the mortar and mix until it reaches the consistency of toothpaste or peanut butter. Allow the mixture to set for 15 minutes, or until a film of water forms on the mix. Stir the mixture again so it's well blended.
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4
Scoop some mortar onto a brick trowel and hold it even with the area you recently cleaned out from the brick joint (where the old mortar was). Push the mortar against the back of the brick. Continue adding more mortar until the area is filled. Smooth the mortar using the brick trowel. Wipe away any excess mortar off the brick using a rag or sponge.
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5
Allow the mortar to set for four to six hours. Once the mortar is stiff to touch, brush diagonally across it using a soft bristled brush to remove any dry mortar crumbs.
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6
Clean any excess mortar from the bricks using a rag or sponge. Use a tarp to cover the repaired area for the next three days to protect the newly set mortar from any weather, such as hard rain or wind.
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