How to Replace Thin Brick

Thin brick, or brick veneer, is a facing meant to make a structure look like it is made of brick. In reality, brick veneer is not in any way structural; it is cosmetic. The actual structure of a brick veneer house -- whether wood or concrete -- can be found under the veneer. The depth of brick veneer varies, and so replacing it necessitates removing a section of the veneer to determine the correct replacement size.

Mason's bolsters
Hammer
Work gloves
Ruler
Mortar mix
Bucket
Trowel

Instructions

- 1
  Chisel around the thin brick you want to replace by using your smallest mason's bolster. Scrape out crumbling mortar with a work glove, and then chisel again. Chip out a line of mortar around the brick. Be careful not to damage the bricks in the vicinity of your work.
- 2
  Switch to a larger mason's bolster, and use it to remove as much mortar from the cavity as you can remove.
- 3
  Pull the brick gently from the cavity. If it won't come out, continue to chisel the mortar until you can remove the brick.
- 4
  Measure the depth of the removed thin brick. Take the brick to a brick veneer supplier, and find the brick's replacement by matching its depth and color to the supplier's brick veneer.
- 5
  Mix mortar in a bucket according to the mortar manufacturer's instructions.
- 6
  Scoop mortar onto a trowel, and fill the sides and the back of the brick veneer cavity with the mortar.
- 7
  Insert the replacement thin brick in the cavity, and press it into the wall until the mortar squeezes out the sides. Use the trowel to scrape off the excess mortar.

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