How to Repair a Mortar and Brick Walkway

It will only take an hour or two to repair your own mortar and brick walkway.

Mortar and brick walkways are consistently exposed to rain, sun and snow. Being exposed to the elements means they are in need of regular maintenance and repair. Broken bricks and cracked mortar are common problems with older walkways. These problems not only make your landscaping unattractive, they can also cause injuries. With just a few tools you probably have in your garage, you can repair your own mortar and brick walkway, restoring it to its original beauty.

Things You'll Need

• Hammer
• Chisel
• Small, stiff broom
• Mortar mix
• 5-gallon bucket
• Replacement bricks
• Cake decorator bag with tip
• Jointer

Instructions

1. Find the damaged mortar and bricks. Using your hammer and chisel, carefully chisel out the broken mortar. Take care not to chip any undamaged bricks.

2. Clean up any loose mortar you have chiseled with a broom. Bricks can stay put unless they are damaged.

3. Remove broken bricks. Replace broken bricks with new ones.

4. Mix the mortar in the 5-gallon bucket according to the directions on the package.

5. Fill the cake decorator bag with mortar. Use a decorator tip that fits well into the spaces between the bricks. As evenly as you can, squeeze the mortar in between the bricks.

6. Use your jointer to spread the mortar evenly between the bricks. Make sure your new mortar matches the old mortar by beginning to scrape at the old joints and going toward the new joints.

Tips & Warnings

• Dispose of your cake decorator bag and tip after this project. You won't be able to use it again.

References

• Concrete Network: Repairing Mortar Joints
• "The Complete Photo Guide to Home Repair;" Black and Decker; 2006