Encyclopedia

of Home Improvements

*Repair a Mortar Joint*

It is important to repair any loose mortar from brick and walkways before ice and snow attack it. Ice, when it freezes is incredibly powerful, so it is best to keep water out of the joint so that it does not freeze and break up your stonework.

This was not a big problem now, but can quickly turn into one. I decided to use a traditional hammer and stone chisel to chop out all the loose mortar. I didn't forget to wear my safety goggles!

I cleaned out the gap and laid down some duct tape along the side of the gap to help me keep the joint clean.(photo2)

I mixed up a small batch of quick setting mortar and tooled it into the gap, pushing it in as far as possible and smoothed it out with a wet sponge. I pulled up the duct tape and was left with a nice clean joint.

If the job had been a much bigger job I could have used the angle grinder with a diamond blade to clean out the old mortar.

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