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. 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!

1. 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.

1. 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!