Want to do some home improvements outside but are fed up with
gardening? Our guide to face -lifting brickwork will have you
dumping the secateurs and grabbing a trowel before your best pal
can say: "Footie's on down the pub - you coming?"
- Easy Tiger! Don't start slapping in the mortar before checking
the brickwork.
- 1. Common problem: frost
damaged bricks
Solution: take a power drill on hammer action
and drill all around the brick. Chip away mortar and pull out
brick. Replace with new one or just turn the old one around!
- 2. Common problem:
efflorescence on new brick walls
Solution: white powdery stuff, common on new
bricks, can be brushed off with dry bristle brush. DO NOT WASH OFF
as this makes problem worse.
- 3. Common problem: dirty
bricks
Solution: A stiff brush, running hose and
bucket loads elbow grease is all you need. Sandblasting and acid
chemicals are alternatives but can rob brickwork of its
character.
Let's start repointing!
- Remove the old mortar with a chisel to about 12mm depth. Use a
hammer drill for large areas.
- Get mortar - either pre-mixed or your own - on your trowel and
place on mortar board (again either bought or one you made). Wet
joints and push mortar into vertical ones first then the
horizontal.
- Take your pointing trowel or special tool (no laughing at the
back) and finish joints.
- Meld old pointing with new, before it dries, with sponge. Clean
brickwork carefully with soft dry brush. Job done!