How to Repair Masonry House Walls

Cracks and small holes in masonry walls are unsightly, often compromise a wall's structural integrity and allow drafts, pests and moisture to infiltrate an interior space. Making small repairs on masonry walls requires only inexpensive hand tools and readily available supplies; repair mortar and flexible, synthetic caulks effectively seal standard wall cracks and holes. Because loose debris, concrete dust and dirt prevent repair compounds from properly adhering to masonry surfaces, thorough cleaning of repair areas is the key to a successful masonry repair project.

Compressed air or stiff brush
Chisel
Mallet
Damp rag
Mortar
Mixing bucket
Power drill and mixing paddle
Masonry trowel or pointing trowel

Instructions

- 1
  Blow compressed air into the crack or hole to remove chipped masonry and debris. Hold the hose nozzle at an angle relative to the masonry surface to force debris to blow out of the damaged area. Alternatively, use a stiff brush to loosen and remove debris from the crack or hole.
- 2
  Place the chisel's tip at the perimeter of the damaged area. Angle the chisel's tip away from the crack or hole's center. Chiseling away from the center undercuts the perimeter of the damaged area to create a convex rim around the depression; whereas a convex shape holds repair compound within the depression, a concave rim allows repair compound to slip out.
- 3
  Pound the butt of the chisel with a mallet to chip jagged edges from the crack or hole's perimeter. Slightly enlarging the hole in the masonry surface is acceptable; a slightly larger hole allows you easily fill the recesses of the damaged area.
- 4
  Clean chunks of concrete, debris and dust from the chiseled hole or crack with compressed air or a stiff brush. Wipe fine particles from the masonry surface with a damp rag. Thorough cleaning ensures that the repair mortar properly adheres to the masonry surface.
- 5
  Add dry mortar to the mixing bucket. Add water to the dry mortar according to the mortar manufacturer's specifications. Combine the mortar and water with a trowel until smooth. Alternatively, mix the mortar with a power drill and mixing paddle.
- 6
  Scoop mortar onto the edge of the trowel. Press the mortar into the center of the crack or hole. Press the trowel against the masonry surface to fill the bottom of the damaged area. Draw the trowel across the masonry surface to spread the mortar. Scoop and spread additional mortar to fully fill the crack or hole.
- 7
  Draw the edge of the trowel's blade across the fully filled crack or hole to smooth the repair area's surface. Apply light pressure to the trowel as you smooth; just barely scrape the area's surface. A light hand creates a smooth finish and prevents damage to metal tools.
- 8
  Wait for the mortar to dry before applying surface coatings to the repair area, such as paint. Consult your manufacturers specifications for curing time specifications. Typical wait times for general purpose, fast-setting repair mortar are two to four hours before applying water-based coatings and approximately 16 hours before applying oil-based or epoxy coatings.

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