How to repair exterior brick patch?

aaronkhoocy

Hi there!

I'm seeking advice on best ways to remedy this patch of concrete over my exterior brick wall. 

Should I get someone to replace it? I can't seem to locate a similar type of brick! 

I presume painting over it wouldn't be a great option is the 1-3 bricks will end up as a different colour? 

Thanks! 

MitchellMc

What you’re looking at there is most likely a damaged brick that’s been “repaired” by packing it out with mortar @aaronkhoocy. The grey you’re seeing across the face of the surrounding bricks is probably excess mortar that’s been smeared over them and never properly cleaned off.

You may be able to improve the appearance slightly by carefully chipping or scraping the mortar off the faces of the surrounding bricks, but because those bricks have a textured surface, it can be quite difficult to remove it cleanly without damaging them further. It’s worth trying gently in an inconspicuous spot first, but expectations should be modest.

For a proper, long-term fix, the best option is to have the affected bricks removed and replaced. Matching older bricks can be challenging, but bricklayers often have contacts or know where to source reclaimed or similar bricks, and a professional replacement will give you the neatest and most durable result.

Painting is an option if you’re mainly trying to improve how it looks, but colour-matching individual bricks is rarely perfect, and those repaired areas may still stand out, just in a different way. If you do consider paint, grabbing a few terracotta or brick-toned colour cards from your local Bunnings and holding them up to the wall can help you see whether you can get close enough for it to be visually acceptable.

Please let me know fi you have any questions.

Mitchell