How to Repair the Mortar in a Brick Fireplace
Brick does not need very much maintenance compared to wood or vinyl construction. Over time, however, you will need to clean the brick and mortar and likely repair mortar joints in your brick fireplace. You know when you need to make repairs when there are large cracks and chips in the mortar. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Hold a cold chisel against the edge of the broken mortar.
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Tap the mortar with a hammer until you've loosened it.
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Continue chipping away at the edges until you've removed all of the broken mortar.
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4
Add water to the powdered mortar mix according to the manufacturer's instructions.
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Let the mortar sit for at least 10 minutes. Remix the it before using it.
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Pick up several tablespoons of mortar with a trowel.
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Hold the trowel so that it is parallel to the joint you are repairing.
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Slide the mortar mix into the cavity with a spatula until you've completely filled it.
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Run the edge of a steel pipe against the mortar to create a rounded concave surface. This will help it match the rest of the mortar.
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Let the mortar dry completely for several days.
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Rough up the mortar with a metal chisel so that it matches the surrounding mortar.
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References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
