Do It Yourself: How To Replace Damaged Bricks In A Wall

Replacing a damaged brick in a wall is not a difficult repair to make. If the proper care is taken, the repair should be simple enough even for a novice builder in possession of the correct tools. Accurately done replacements should be unobtrusive, and should last as long as the rest of the original construction. To replace a brick, you will need the following tools:

Brick chisel

Bucket for mixing mortar

Hose or power washer

Joining tool

Mortar

Replacement brick or bricks of the same size, color, and age as the one being replaced

Sledge hammer or brick hammer

Stiff bristled brush

Trowels (large and small)

You will also need the following safety equipment:

Dust mask

Goggles

Work gloves

The first step to replacing a damaged brick in a wall is removing the old brick. Use a chisel and sledge or brick hammer to cut the old brick away completely. To make things easier, use a drill with a masonry bit to divide the brick. Remove all of the mortar that surrounded the brick. A power grinder with a masonry wheel attachment is useful for this step and will speed the process up, but it is not necessary. Take care not to do further damage to other bricks in the wall.

Clean the resulting opening thoroughly. A clean surface is necessary for the mortar to bond properly. Use the brush to clear the remaining particles away. Spray the surfaces of the opening with the hose or power washer. This will serve the dual purpose of cleaning the remaining particles out and will prepare the surfaces for the application of the mortar.

Mix the mortar in the bucket, according to the directions on the package. Using the trowel, spread a layer of mortar along the bottom and sides of the opening. Smooth the mortar with the trowel for an even surface.

Wet the new brick. Wetting the brick will prevent it from drawing the moisture from the mortar. Apply mortar to the top and sides of the brick with the trowel. Manipulate the brick into the empty space; the fit should be secure. Be careful not to compress the bottom layer of mortar when placing the brick into the opening. There should be a cushion of mortar underneath the bottom surface of the brick. Use an upside down trowel to slide the brick into place, if there is any difficulty with this step. Mortar should protrude from the joints all around the brick. If no mortar is extruded, then not enough has been applied. In that case, remove the brick, reapply the mortar, and replace it. Scrape away any excess mortar with your trowel; don't try to wipe it away.

Once the brick is in place, make certain that any gaps in the mortar are filled. To apply mortar without removing the brick, place a pile of mortar along one edge of the large trowel, hold that edge against the wall where the mortar needs to be filled, and shovel the mortar into the gap with the small trowel. Use the small trowel to push the mortar deep into the joints, applying it until the joints are completely full.

Once the mortar has been packed into the joint, it will need to be sculpted. The mortar will need to set for approximately fifteen minutes before being sculpted. Use the joining tool to sculpt the joints. You will need to select the proper joining tool to match the size of the existing joints. Use the tool to remove just enough mortar to produce a smooth, concave surface approximating the same depth as that of the other joints. A piece of pipe can be used in place of the jointing tool.

After the mortar has had a few hours to cure, use the stiff bristle brush to remove excess mortar from around the repair. If mortar has gotten on other bricks surrounding the repair, it can be removed with muriatic acid after the mortar has set for a couple of days. Be certain to wear protective gear when using muriatic acid to clean your wall, and use extreme care if you choose to use this powerful chemical. Use a wire brush to scrub away the mortar loosened by the acid. Replacing a damaged brick is a relatively simple, if labor-intensive repair that even the average homeowner can do. Taking the time to take care of that brick wall can preserve it for many years to come.