Repairing a brick wall does not have to take years or experience or study. It can be as simple and painless as making a sandwich, if you know what you are doing. Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to repairing a broken brick wall.
What do I do if I have an older brick wall? Won’t the new bricks look out of place?
Yes. Older bricks are generally constructed with rounded edges, whereas new bricks are constructed with squared edges. The reason for this difference is due largely in part to the method by which bricks were made and how they are made now. In the early days, bricks were handmade using a mold. Modern-day bricks are constructed using a brick-making machine that takes out the human element.
Older bricks also tend to have more wear, including chips, cracks and discoloration. Newer bricks tend to be brighter, less dirty and simple newer looking.
If you would like your new bricks to blend in with your pre-existing wall, then you will need to find bricks that were made at a similar time. Often, these bricks can be purchased from soil goods distributors or found on older properties. Contact your local greenhouse or hardware store for more information on obtaining older bricks for your wall.
I’ve never done any sort of masonry before. How do I find the right products?
Easy. Consult a local hardware story attendant for more information on obtaining the best products for you, but here is a list of the basics that you will need:
• Grouting tool, such as a flat-edge spade
• Grout
• Mortar mix
• Shallow bucket or pan
• Mixing spoon
• Level
• Bricks – old or new
How do I create that groove between the bricks – and what is it for?
The groove that you are talking about is the thin indentation that is about the size of a finger in width. It is found between every brick placed on a wall or in the building. There are two reasons that the groove exists: 1) because it looks good and 2) because it helps to distribute weight. Creating an inward groove between your bricks helps to ensure that that grout and mortar do not crack outward, lessening their strength and durability.
The concave groove acts similarly in fashion to the way a flying buttress or arch would act when supporting a structure. The arch helps to ensure that weight is distributed onto the brick, rather than away from the brick and out to the sides of the wall. The physics behind the groove, of course, are more complicated than that. The most simple answer that you can tell people is that the groove helps to channel water down the wall.
To create the groove, simple apply an even coat of grout in between two bricks. Before the grout dries, run a wet finger straight and firmly down the gap. It is that simple. Your groove will look professional, and you will look like a professional making it!