Repairing deteriorating brick

8/6/2019

Repairing deteriorating brick

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If the face of the brick has burst off, that is the result of water penetration. In the winter, that moisture freezes and expands causing the brick face to burst off. The source of the water penetration must be found and corrected. It could be a bad gutter or downspout, a leak in the roof or the lack of a drip edge. Once the source is found and corrected, depending on the amount of damage one of the following options will work:

If the damage is spotty and only a few brick, those can be cut out and replaced with reclaimed brick. The current brick can even be cut out and turned around so that the backside, that was not exposed to the elements faces the exterior.
If the brick damage is spotty, the brick can be brushed clean of loose material and there are sealers that can be applied to protect the brick.
The third option, and the last resort, if a majority of the brick is damaged, is a bonding agent that can be applied to the face of the brick and then a mortar repair made to smooth the face of the brick, after which, the brick can be painted with a good quality paint.

5 Comments

7/8/2020 11:11:32 am

If the face of the brick has broken off, it's often a result of using the incorrect type of mortar during repairs or repointing. Modern mortar is too hard for old bricks and can cause major irreversible damage. The correct type of mortar is Type O or K but it's very difficult to find this type of mortar premixed for the average DIY homeowner. If you know of any place around Dayton where someone could buy this type of mortar, please let me know.

Chris Pederson link

3/26/2021 07:06:42 pm

It's good to know that some bricks can be removed and replaced if they are too damaged. I was afraid that the whole thing would need to be rebuilt. But I'd still have a professional do it for me.

Mia Evans link

8/20/2021 09:11:30 pm

Thanks for pointing out that a bonding agent needs to be used when the majority of the brick is damaged. I guess I need to look for a professional for brick masonry services. It's to completely fix the cracks on our brick wall in the backyard.

Zachary Tomlinson link

2/3/2022 05:38:48 am

I never knew that brick damage could eventually get worse if left unattended. My friend talked about how he's thinking about purchasing his uncle's old home since it's closer to his university. Perhaps seeking a brick expert that can fix these issues can help him when necessary.

Vivian Black link

4/12/2022 08:54:04 am

We have a very old home that is over a century in age. Now that we have gotten to the point in our career and earnings to renovate it, we are going to start with the outside. The damage in our brick is noticeable, so we want to fix quite a few of them. I like how you said that a bonding agent can be put on the brick and a mortar repair afterwards. We will contact a building supply service this month.

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Repairing deteriorating brick

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