The Home Improvement Blog

Bricks are a common building material that often become damaged over time. Cracked bricks are unsightly and can be hazardous, making knowledge of brick repair rather important. Most people can perform brick repair on their own, saving the need to call in the professionals.

Although a small crack in a brick may not be cause for alarm right away, it won’t repair itself and will get worse over time. The crack can grow rapidly, just like a small chip in a car’s windshield may soon become a crack running the length of the dashboard. And more often than not, one crack in a brick becomes many. These cracks are either active or passive. Active cracks will spread over time, often resulting in the replacement of the brick. Passive cracks do not spread and can often be repaired.

Repointing is the method most often used when repairing damaged brick. It involves removing old mortar and replacing it with new. Repointing also requires tools such as a chisel, screwdriver, or drill to remove debris from the crack; therefore, it is best to use protective eyewear with all of the debris these tools will probably kick up. To more fully clear the crack of debris, spray it with some water to clear out the smallest particles.

The next thing to do is to mix some mortar and let a little bit of it dry in an inconspicuous area of brick. Why? To make sure that it is the right color before you proceed with using it. You can buy mortar at most home repair shops. A type specially made for brick repairs is typically available. Once you have checked that the mortar matches the rest of the brick structure, it can be applied as needed and then shaped and flattened using a trowel. You should spray the area with water once a day for a week afterwards.

Keep a garden hose nearby during the repair, because it is important to keep it wet at this time as well. Sometimes residue is left over after the repair is finished, but it can be removed using muriatic acid. It is advisable to use protective eyewear and gloves while handling the material just to be on the safe side.

Brick repair may not be a daunting task to those experienced in home improvement, but some people are not as well-versed in these matters. If brick repair seems like too much of a challenge, it may be best to call in a contractor. Calling the professionals for a small job may, however, not be the best way to spend money.

Learn More : Bricks

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