Repairing cracked or damaged mortar on a brick veneer, you will have to remove the old mortar and “re-point” the joints. “Re-pointing” the joints implies that you fill each joint with new mortar.
Mortar is available in ready-mixed form and can be found at your local home supply store. When you purchase ready-mix mortar, make sure it is weather resistant type N. Prepare the mortar according to package directions and when you are filling the joints, you may need to use a hawk and trowel. A hawk is a special tool used to carry the wet mortar mix and a trowel is the tool you use to place the mortar mix form the hawk to into the joints. A Jointer is a special tool used to smooth out the mortar in-between each brick. Use a jointer, steel rod, or trowel tool to match the new joints with the old. Below are 6 easy steps to repair damaged mortar on a brick veneer.
Use a cold chisel and ball-peen hammer to chisel out the cracked or damaged mortar on the brick veneer to at least 1/2 inch in depth. Clan out the loose mortar with a wire brush.- Dampened the open joints. Make sure the joints are not too wet. While using the hawk, place the new mortar mix into the open joints.
- Use a Jointer on the new mortar once it is “thumbprint hard” to smooth out the vertical joints.
- Once all vertical joints are finished you may use the Jointer on all horizontal joints.
- Cut off any excess mortar by sliding a trowel along the brick veneer.
- Brush off all extra remaining mortar on the bricks of the finished brick veneer with a stiff brush.Keep the new joints damp for 4 day so that the mortar can cure.
CAUTION: While chiseling out old mortar, make sure to protect your eyes with safety goggles.