If a few bricks are missing from a retaining wall, repairs can be made by completing the steps below. Replacing bricks will increase the stability of a wall and will improve the appearance of a brick structure.
Materials
- garden sprayer
- detergent
- water hose
- scrub brush
- putty knife
- wire brush
- bricks
- mortar mix
- bucket
- wooden stick
- trowel
- small shovel
Cleaning A Wall And Preparing Mortar Mix
Water and detergent that is designed to be used on brick surfaces can be added to a garden sprayer’s tank. A cleaning solution needs to be sprayed on both sides of a wall. After a mixture has penetrated stains for several minutes, a scrub brush can be moved briskly over treated surfaces to remove dirty residue. If there is hardened mortar in areas where new bricks are needed, a putty knife or wire brush can be used to remove it.
A hose should be used to spray water on both sides of a wall to remove loose dirt and soapy residue. After bricks have dried, mortar mix needs to be prepared according to the steps that are listed on the package that the mix came in. A wooden stick can be used to stir mix and water until it is a smooth consistency.
Installing Bricks
An even layer of mortar should be spread across each brick with a trowel. A small shovel can be used to apply mortar as well. Bricks should be inserted in each gap and pressed firmly into place. Mortar may take a couple minutes to adhere. While mortar is drying, weight should not be placed on a wall. After mortar has cured, a brick structure will remain stable. Heavy weight should never be added to a brick structure because it could cause bricks to shift and possibly damage specific parts of a wall.
A brick structure can be maintained by cleaning bricks occasionally with soapy water and a scrub brush. If damage ever occurs and basic repair steps cannot be made, a company that provides professional services for Masonry in Randolph NJ can be hired.
For more updates, follow us on Facebook.
