Brick Wall Repair | Replacement

Brick wall repair is a tricky business and a professional contractor is highly recommended to ensure the repair when finished does not look like a repair but rather blends into the original wall.

Removing and Replacing Damaged Bricks

First of all the removal of damaged bricks requires an understanding of the structural integrity of the wall. You do not want the wall to fall and this requires knowing how to shore up the area around the repair, bricks are heavy. Shoring up the wall is especially important if the bricks and mortar being removed are in the middle of the wall. Step two is the cleaning the mortar from the area to be repaired. Step three, replacing the brick is where the real work and knowledge are necessary.
Bricks come in many colors and textures and if possible the exact color and texture of brick needs to be found to do the repair. Finding the right material can sometimes be a treasure hunt, professional contractors know where to find the right material. Bricks are laid in wet mortar and the mortar forms joints, these joints must be the same thickness, design, texture and color as the existing joints to make the repair invisible.
Bricks are also laid in many different patterns. Skilled professionals know how to replicate patterns and they know how to make adjustments to make the pattern consistent. Many bricks are not machined and consequently are not always the same size. The skill to make these adjustments for the varying sizes of the individual bricks is where the professional’s knowledge is worth his weight in gold.

Replacing Mortar

Mortar is the other important element of the finished pattern of a brick wall. Mixing the mortar is a skill that is often overlooked. The final color and texture of the joints is dependent on obtaining the correct mortar mixture. This step cannot be taken lightly in the process of making a brick repair, when mortar dries it is very difficult to make corrections without starting over and starting over is very expensive.

Keeping the Repair Invisible

Well laid brick walls are one of the most beautiful finishes that a structure can have and the perceived value of brick is well known. Especially a multicolored or patterned brick wall repair requires a well planned installation and should be done by a professional contractor. The repair of a brick wall is the attempt to restore the beauty of the original wall and must be done with very careful planning and skill. So many brick repairs do not look good because they are done in a haphazard manner. This can be avoided simply by selecting the right professional who has the knowledge and understands brick and its installation.

Hiring a Professional Contractor

When hiring a professional brick contractor ask for references and to see other brick work he or she has done. A good professional contractor will gladly show off their prior work.
Brick is a natural, manmade material and when laid correctly adds a long lasting value and beauty to the finished structure.