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Should damaged bricks be patched or replaced?

Howdy,

I’m just looking at the possibility of replacing some bricks at my mum's house. They sit in a line where a former deck was anchored to the back of the house. As I'm planning on building a new deck, I'm wondering if I should replace these (as I'll eventually be drilling into this area again) or just patch the existing bricks. Would you have any thoughts? Please note, the colour does not matter is the bricks are eventually going to be painted and hidden.

Thank you,

Sebastian

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Akanksha

Hello @Sebastian90,

Thanks for your question. Our resident D.I.Y. expert @EricL will be happy to provide his thoughts when he's back online later today.

In the meantime, tagging @Jewelleryrescue, @TedBear and @Nailbag in case they have any thoughts.

Akanksha

Jewelleryrescue

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/34649#Comment_34649

Hi @Sebastian90

The odd damaged brick wont effect wall strength and can be window dressed repaired as you wish if not seen.

But if you want to re attach to the brick work in this area again i would replace the bricks to ensure a good job at full strength in case you want to anchor in the same area.

To replace the bricks simply remove the mortar from all the way around the bricks in question, To do this you might need is a concrete masonary bit or and old twist drill bit long enough to get most of the way into the wall the depth of the brick width, (but small enough to fit in the mortar groove) and simply route out the soft mortar.

You can use angle grinder too with care then the last brick break/hit the brick with a hammer it will fall apart. Use any good bricks to replace them with new mortar.

You have three damaged bricks in one area once you have the first one out the others will be more easy to remove mortar them all in at once.

Hope this helps.

EricL

Hello @Sebastian90

Thanks for sharing your question about damaged bricks.

It's great that you've received excellent advice from @Jewelleryrescue. I would definitely not screw back into the bricks that have been drilled already. It's best to patch it and anchor in another section.

I recommend using Prep 750g Watercrete Multi-Purpose Patching Cement. My best advice is to make sure that the holes are clean and free of loose brick debris.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Dave-1

Evening @Sebastian90

I wouldnt be to worried about replacing the bricks as you are going to be covering them up, you can fill the cracks as @EricL suggested.

The ways of attaching things to concrete and brick has changed over the years. Those ramset fixings have moved on (You can still buy them no problems) However there are masonary anchor screws that will do far less damage to the brickwork (I didnt know about them until a few years ago and now I swear by them.) masonary anchors is just a few of the types to give you an idea.

When I was going to fix a stud wall to the concrete floor I was asking a Bunnings staff member about "where is the ramset stuff" lol and he causally asked me "Why are you using that and not the concrete anchor screws"... Well I trusted him and believe me I was nervous about using the anchor screws for both concrete and brick but wow!

Id check them out if you havnt, well worth a look at.

Dave

TedBear

Hi @Sebastian90 , I agree with @Dave-1 & @EricL on this... Replacing bricks that you are going to cover up could do more harm than good to the wall strength if not done correctly. Getting new mortar into the replaced bricks effectively can be tricky. Leaving them alone, or patched, will let you know which ones to avoid when putting new anchors in & have little effect on the wall.

Sebastian90

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/34682#Comment_34682

Thank you for your sound advice!

Sebastian90

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/34678#Comment_34678

Much appreciated!

Sebastian90

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/34664#Comment_34664

Thank you!

Sebastian90

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/34664#Comment_34664

Hi again @EricL,
Just wondering if you'd recommend the Watercrete over Polyfilla exterior brick and masonry filler ? Also, I've ground down any metal protrusions that I haven't been able to pull out or push into the brickwork, is there anything you'd use to prime with before painting to prevent rust running through the white paint that I'll be using for the bricks?

Thank you!

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/79766#Comment_79766

Hi @Sebastian90,

Either of those products would be suitable, with the Watercrete being the stronger of the two. Strength really isn't an issue, as you won't be drilling into the same brick.

For the fixings, I'd touch them up with some rust converter. That should halt the corrosion process. Once you've filled over them and painted them, that will seal moisture out, which is the catalyst for corrosion.

On a side note, a word of warning with connecting decks to brick walls: If this is a single brick veneer building, it is not a suitable mounting point and does not comply with building codes. Brick veneer is not designed or allowed by building codes to support anything other than the weight of the bricks above. You might like to check out this discussion: Where to find spacers for a deck ledger board?

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

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