How to Repair a Brick Wall With No Flashing

No matter how sturdy a brick wall is, exposure to the elements will cause it to deteriorate over time. Rain, snow and humid weather all introduce moisture to your brick wall. Moisture stresses masonry walls and makes them more likely to crumble. Metal flashing installed either above or behind brick walls gives the masonry partial protection from moisture. Brick walls that lack flashing will suffer greater stress and more problems than those protected from the weather – resulting in more frequent repairs.

Carbide-tipped grout saw
Hammer
Chisel
Stiff-bristled brush
Mortar
Water
Spray bottle or garden hose
Replacement bricks
Trowel
Sponge
Soapy water
Tarp

Instructions

- 1
  Scrape damaged mortar away from the brick's horizontal or "bed" joints with a carbide-tipped grout saw. Remove the vertical or "head" joints with a hammer and chisel. Remove at least 3/4 inch of mortar from around each brick.
- 2
  Chisel out any damaged bricks that you want to replace. If you cannot remove the damaged bricks in one piece, break them up with the hammer and chisel, and pull them free of the wall.
- 3
  Scrub the area around the bricks with a dry stiff-bristled brush. Remove as much dried, crumbling bits of mortar and debris as you can.
- 4
  Mix the mortar with water following the manufacturer's instructions. If there are no instructions, add just enough water to create a mortar the consistency of thick glue. Let the mortar sit for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, mix the mortar a second time and begin the application.
- 5
  Mist the bricks with water from a spray bottle or garden hose while your mortar is resting. Bricks readily absorb moisture. Wetting the surface ensures that the bricks will not deplete the new mortar of moisture before it has time to properly set.
- 6
  Spread a generous amount of mortar on the bottom and top of your replacement bricks. Push the bricks into place in the wall. Scrape away any excess mortar that squeezes out with a trowel.
- 7
  Scoop up the mortar with the trowel. Move the trowel across the masonry, pushing it into the wall's grooves with the trowel edge. Continue adding mortar and pushing it into the joints until the joints are full. Scrape away any excess mortar with the trowel. Let the mortar dry until it's firm to the touch.
- 8
  Brush away dried pieces of mortar from the brick faces with the stiff-bristled brush. Dip a sponge in warm, soapy water and gently wash excess mortar from the brick faces.
- 9
  Cover the brick wall with a tarp for three days. This protects the fresh mortar from the elements as it cures. Mist the bricks daily with water until you remove the tarp.

Can I Burn Drywall?

Clicking Sound in Walls

Wall Repairs