Brick Repair Instructions
Chimney Brick Repair
Repair damaged chimney bricks economically.
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Brick Repair
Brick Repair Instructions
Bricks flake, peel, crack and split. The cause is usually water seepage into the brick interior, which freezes, causing cracks, chipping, and flaking.
It is important to repair the damaged area of the bricks before more water enters, and causes further damage.
Inspect the capping around the top of the chimney for any cracks or missing concrete. If there are cracks, clean and coat the entire top surface with a new coat of concrete.
When working on the chimney, place drop cloths around the chimney, on the roof to catch any falling bits of broken bricks, and concrete.
Use a chisel and hammer, and remove all the unstable, loose pieces of concrete, broken or cracked pieces of brick from the chimney. A solid base is necessary to make repairs.
brick repair jig
To work on the veneered type brick (thin slices), make up a couple of jigs to help repair the broken bricks. Cut a couple of wooden strips 1/4 inch by 1/4 inch. Measure the length and
height of the brick to be repaired, and build the jig to fit the chimney ( see photo). Use fine finishing nails to assemble the wood strips, pre-drill the holes for the nails.
Mix up a water mixture, at a ratio of one portion of bond well glue to six portions of water, or other equivalent cement bonding agents.
Mix well and paint all the chipped/flaked brick areas, just before you apply the concrete.
Add what is left of the glue solution, to the dry, premixed bonding cement mixture. Mix the cement so that it is fairly stiff, but still wet enough to stick well. Place the jig onto the chimney bricks, and with the premixed high bonding concrete, fill up the hole, to the top of the jig.
Trowel the mixed cement level, and by drawing the trowel at an angle over the surface of the applied cement, start to build the design into the brick look.
Wait 5 to 10 minutes to allow the cement mix to stiffen up, draw the trowel across the surface, for the finished look. The steeper the trowel angle, the rougher the surface becomes; scraping it across the top will give it a rough grooved, brick-like texture.
If you have more than one flaked brick to repair, work on two at a time. Allow those two brick repairs to set up before doing more.
This photo shows the curing concrete with the jig removed.
Wait about half an hour for the concrete to set up (cure), before removing the jig.
Run your trowel or knife around the inside of the jig and slowly remove the jig.
Wait a half hour later after the jig is removed before lightly washing.
Wash down the bricks around the repaired area with water and a brush, to remove any splashed concrete.
Clean up any spilled concrete, on the roof.
If you want a contrast look, repair the brick with the natural color of the concrete.
If you want to match the repair color to the other bricks, add color into the patch cement,
or paint the repaired area at a later time.
Cinnamon color is about the same color of the bricks shown here.
Repairing Full Size Bricks
Full size brick repairs should only be attempted if the brick wall is not a load bearing wall, and not more than
two bricks are damaged. If more than two are damaged call the professionals.
To do a repair the entire brick must be removed, use eye protection and leather gloves to
protect yourself from flying pieces. Use a cold chisel and a hammer to break, and chip out the remaining
pieces. Go easy, so as not to damage any surrounding bricks.
Brush out the cavity with a wire brush to remove all remaining pieces, then wash away any trace of dust.
Take a piece of the busted brick to a brickyard and try to match for size, texture, and color.
When you are ready to place the new brick into place, mix up enough approved mortar for the job, the mortar
should be stiff enough to hold to the side of the brick, without dropping off.
Using a pointed trowel, butter the bottom and sides of the cavity to about 3/4 to 1 inch in thickness.
Take the brick and dip it into a pail of water, lightly butter the back, and sides of the brick.
Slowly ease the brick into the cavity, lightly tapping with a rubber mallet. Mortar will start oozing out,
wipe away the excess and set aside. Tap the brick until it is level with the adjacent bricks.
Add more mortar where needed, and scrap away where there is too much. Use a joint strike tool to
finish the mortar joint. A bent piece of round stock will also work to finish the groove.
When the mortar is just about dry, brush away any loose pieces of mortar, and finish up by washing
the entire area with water and a brush with stiff bristles.
Spray the repaired area lightly with water for a couple of days too prevent the mortar from curing too quickly.
If the area is in direct sun, try to cover it with something to provide shade.
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Chimney Bricks Repair Instructions, How to do the Repair Economically.