Brick repair can be done at home if you use the right tools and the right information.
Chimneys extend high above the roofline where they have very little protection from the elements. Due to this fact, there is a high likelihood that your chimney will need brick repair at one point or another. Repairing brick by yourself is not an impossible task and with the right tools and information, you can turn a repair that would be expensive to pay a professional to do into an at home project to save money.
Brick match is an important part of the process. Be sure to take an actual brick sample to a brickyard when you are matching brick to the project. One out of place brick can make the repair look very tacky. You may also want to consider purchasing mortar pigment if the mortar you have purchased does not match your existing mortar.
You need to get the damaged brick out first. Make sure that you do not damage any of the other bricks in this process. Use a chisel and a hammer to remove the damaged brick one piece at a time. Remember, safety first. Always wear eye coverings to prevent a chunk of air borne brick from hurting you. Chisel out the mortar from the hole the brick left behind and clean out the opening with a brush and rinse with water. This is a very necessary step toward making the repair last as long as possible.
By taking time, he did not damage any brick surrounding this damaged brick.
After mixing your mortar and adding in any necessary pigments, trowel the mortar into the hole on the bottom and both sides. Wet the brick slightly so it will take the mortar better. Make the mortar about ¾” thick on the bottom and both sides of the hole. Apply more mortar to the top and sides of the brick and place the brick in the chimney until it is even with the others. Mortar will ooze out during this process. Be sure to remove this mortar from the face of the brick to prevent staining. Do this by waiting until the mortar is nearly dry and wire brushing away any extra mortar. Also, make sure the mortar is flush with the face of the brick by either removing some or adding more in with a pointing tool.
Seal your repair after with a penetrating water repellent. A water repellent is necessary to making your repairs last longer and will prevent new needed repairs from surfacing. Water is often the culprit to chimney brick problems, so protecting your chimney is a very necessary step in the process.
Replacing damaged brick can be a less expensive repair for your chimney than rebuilding the entire structure. Where a full rebuild is warranted, cutting out and replacing brick is not an acceptable alternative. However, when appropriate, repairing only parts of the chimney can be the most economically sound decision for you as a homeowner.
Used bricks are soft and may quickly deteriorate. If your masonry structure is made with used brick, it is more than likely that you will already know. If you do not, however, there are many tell tale signs that you do. Used bricks are known in a positive light for their beauty. Their rustic aestheticism is incomparable to newer bricks made by more modern procedures. They are bricks recycled or salvaged from prior buildings or construction sites. Often times, used brick are the remnants of older buildings having been torn down to create more modern structures. Some characteristics of used brick include rounded edges, small chips, and a general “tumbled” feel.
Having been in business since 1981, I cannot begin to tell you how many customers calling for an ‘outer estimate,’ a visual inspection and written list of recommendations for chimneys which are deteriorating, spalling, falling, or have been damaged by some natural cause.Often times, an estimator will give you estimates of varying amounts that correlate with different types of repairs and fixes. Although this process can be confusing at times, it is our policy to walk customers through the estimation and repair process.
Repairs for brick or stone paving can be extremely, extremely pricey. Brick walkways or stone patios may have been installed poorly by bricklayers who were not concerned with the quality of the work they did at the home. Some homeowners are faced with problems caused by very large mortar joints, made as such to make room for the unevenly sized bricks used for the construction job. These joints are extremely prone to water damage, and moss and mold growth.
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