How to Repair a Separating Brick

Bad weather, subsidence, building forces and age can all take their toll on the strength of your brickwork. If you notice cracks appearing in the pointing between your bricks, you should move quickly to repair the problem before it becomes serious. If you do nothing, you could be left with costly structural issues. Fortunately, you can buy a relatively cheap product to support your crumbling brickwork. Helical bars are threaded stainless steel rods you insert into the pointing between your bricks to strengthen your wall.

Tape measure
Drill and long masonry drill bit
Safety goggles
Hammer
Grout
Trowel

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the height of the pointing in your brickwork and the thickness of your walls.
- 2
  Buy helical bars from your local hardware store or online that correspond to the measurements you've taken. You'll also need an appropriately-sized drill bit.
- 3
  Attach the drill bit to your drill, put on a pair of safety goggles and carefully drill a hole through the pointing directly between the affected bricks.
- 4
  Carefully pull the drill bit out of your wall.
- 5
  Slide a helical bar into the opening. Tap the bar lightly with a hammer if you have difficulty inserting it.
- 6
  Repoint your brickwork with grout using a trowel.

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