How to Fix Gaps in Bricks

As long as you can reach the gaps or cracks in the brickwork, you can make the repairs without much fuss. Gaps in or between bricks are the result of weathering and need to be repaired before they compromise the integrity of the brickwork. Once compromised, water gets into the fissures, further destabilized the mortar and brick. Be prepared to make two types of repairs. One to fix gaps or cracks in the actual bricks, and the other to repair of gaps in between bricks, where mortar has fallen out or become unstable.

Stiff brush
Concrete bonding material
Wood board
Trowel
Sandpaper
Hammer
Chisel
Weather resistant "N"-type mortar
Jointer

Instructions

- 1
  Fix any cracks in the brick using concrete bonding material. Use material that has been colored to match your bricks. Clean off the area with a stiff brush and apply the bonding material with a trowel or putty knife.
- 2
  Fill the gaps in between bricks using weather resistant N-type mortar. Press the mortar into the crack using a trowel or putty knife. Get in as far as you can.
- 3
  Fill the gaps with mortar until it is level with the face of the brick. Let it set until it feels tacky. Use a jointer or other object that will fit in-between the bricks to push the partially set mortar further into the gaps. Apply another layer to top up the gaps back to the level of the brick surface.
- 4
  Repeat this process until the gaps are fully filled with mortar. Run the jointer along the mortar joints until everything is smooth.
- 5
  Scrape off any excess mortar on the bricks with the trowel. Clean the bricks with a wet cloth if necessary.
- 6
  Keep the mortar moist for several days to prevent it from cracking as it dries. Apply moisture with a wet sponge or gently sprinkle the mortar with a hose every few hours. This allows the exposed surface of the mortar to dry at a similar speed with the mortar beneath.

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