Bricks that are severely damaged will be cut out using masonry tools, leaving perfect, brick sized holes in the chimney. Diamond blade saws or regular chipping hammers are used to remove the bricks, although the saw is least likely to chip the brick that you do want to keep intact.

The openings must be cleaned properly before new installation can occur. Using fresh pointing mortar, a mason will install new brick into these openings. There are some downfalls to this method however. 99% of the time, there will be a color difference between the new bricks and the old bricks. Often times, the mortar may not match completely either. These minor details are not significant when it comes to a very small brick wall repair on inconspicuous parts of the home, but a very widespread repair on the front of the house or on the top of the chimney can be very unsightly if some bricks are a different color than the others. Mortar may sometimes get on the face of the brick as well, and although it can be removed, can be a real pain and eyesore if not removed shortly after the brick repair has been completed.

The most important step after conducting repairs of this nature is to waterproof not only the repaired area but all the surrounding brick. Because these used brick are weak, they are more prone than new brick to spall, crack, and crumble. A heavy duty water repellent is my greatest recommendation to prolong and protect the repair.

• Bookmark on Delicious
• Digg this post
• Recommend on Facebook
• Buzz it up
• share via Reddit
• Share with Stumblers
• Tweet about it
• Subscribe to the comments on this post

Used brick can be from salmon pink to chalky orange to bright red. There are not any real color distinctions between new and used brick; their condition is the determining factor. Often their sizes are extremely irregular.
New brick will deteriorate in chunks or sections. Used brick, however, tend to deteriorate individually due to their differences in density throughout. Since their masses are not evenly distributed as is with new brick, made in a factory, one individual brick in the center of other perfectly fine bricks may start to crack and crumble.

The best maintenance tip I have for used brick after you correct any brick wall repair is to apply a deep penetrating water repellent once every few years. You also need to take care of any cracks or missing mortar joints immediately when caring for used brick. If you do not, the problem will quickly spiral out of control and hefty repairs may become necessary.

• Bookmark on Delicious
• Digg this post
• Recommend on Facebook
• Buzz it up
• share via Reddit
• Share with Stumblers
• Tweet about it
• Subscribe to the comments on this post