How to Mortar an Interior Brick Wall

Interior brick walls are constructed of bricks and mortar. Mortar is a type of concrete that creates a bond between each brick. The result is a sound, durable structure. However, because the mortar is often a thin joint between the bricks, over time it may begin to crack or even break away. When this happens, the integrity of the wall is compromised and the mortar needs to be replaced.

Drop cloth
Cold chisel
Hammer
Portland cement
Fine sand
Bucket
Jug
Paint-stirring bit
Drill
Trowel

Instructions

- 1
  Place a drop cloth over the floor, against the base of the wall.
- 2
  Hold a cold chisel at a 90-degree angle against the cracked mortar joint and strike it firmly with a hammer to break the mortar up.
- 3
  Chisel out the mortar around the other sides of the brick with your cold chisel and hammer, and then pull the brick out of the wall.
- 4
  Mix one part Portland cement with three parts fine sand in a bucket. Fill a jug with water and set it beside the bucket.
- 5
  Attach a paint-stirring bit to a drill and mix the dry ingredients. Then add water and continue to mix the dry ingredients until they form a mudlike consistency.
- 6
  Scoop some wet mortar out of the bucket with a trowel and spread it across the bottom of the hole in wall where you removed the brick. Then set the brick into the mortar and press down. Scrape away excess mortar with the trowel.
- 7
  Fill the gaps in the sides and on top of the brick with more mortar and let dry for 24 hours. Repeat the process of removing other bricks, mixing more mortar and relaying the bricks as necessary until all the cracked mortar joints have been replaced.

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