How to Install Bricks on a Home

If your home has an exterior brick finish and some of those bricks have come loose or even free, you can replace them yourself without having to hire a contractor. Exterior bricks are set against the wall and held in place by mortar, which is made of sand and cement. Over time, mortar can crack and the weight of the brick can cause a slight shift. The exterior brick then comes loose or falls out of the wall.

Chisel
Hammer
Masonry brush
Portland cement
Masonry sand
Bucket
Hose
Trowel
Concrete bonding agent
Bricks

Instructions

- 1
  Hold a chisel against the mortar joint holding the loose brick in place on the home's exterior. Use a hammer to strike the chisel and break away the loose mortar. Pull the old brick off the house.
- 2
  Chisel out the remaining mortar to be able to accommodate either a new brick or the old brick. Sweep out the dust with a masonry brush to have a clean surface.
- 3
  Mix one part of Portland cement with three parts masonry sand in a bucket, and wet with a hose. Mix thoroughly with a trowel and set aside momentarily.
- 4
  Squeeze concrete bonding agent into the empty crevice, and then spread mortar into the crevice with the trowel. Set the brick inside the crevice and fill the gaps between the existing bricks and the brick just set inside the crevice with mortar. Let the mortar set for 24 hours.
- 5
  Repeat Steps 1 through 4 as necessary to replace other loose bricks on the exterior of your home.

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