How to match mortar to existing or blend into surrounding mortar joins?

aglyde

Got some sections on the brick work where the morar has washed away. Some areas I have noticed some insects and spiders have decided to crawl into. My plan is to remove the insects from the gaps and reseal with fresh mortar. But I was wondering if there is a way to use a small bag of mortar and add Dulux Avista Oxide colouring? 20kg bag is a lot of mortar and don't need that much for the job. I was also wondering what colour the mortar is. it appears cream (but I have a feeling its because it's faded away over time.

MitchellMc

Hi @aglyde,

If you only have a few small sections to repair, you definitely don’t need a full 20 kg bag. A smaller pre-mixed mortar will work fine for patching and is easier to manage for a DIY job. You could use Dingo 10kg Mortar Mix, which is a convenient smaller bag designed for small brickwork repairs. Like most premixed mortars, it comes in a standard grey colour.

Your existing mortar looks creamy, but that’s often because mortar lightens and fades over time from sun and weather exposure. Fresh mortar will usually look darker at first.

To help match the colour, you can add a cement oxide such as Dulux Avista Oxide Sandstone Cement Colouring 1kg. Adding a small amount of this oxide to the grey mortar can give it a warmer cream/sandstone tone that will blend better with the existing joints. Start with a small amount and mix thoroughly. It's easy to add more colour if needed.

Basic steps to repair the joints:

1. Clean out the joint
   • Use a stiff brush or scraper to remove loose mortar, dirt, insects, and debris.
   • Make sure any crumbly mortar is removed so the new mortar bonds properly.
2. Dampen the area
   • Lightly spray or wipe the brick and joint with water.
   • This prevents the dry bricks from pulling moisture out of the fresh mortar too quickly.
3. Apply the mortar
   • Mix a small batch of mortar.
   • Use a tuck pointing tool such as the Hyde 13mm Tuck Pointing Trowel to press the mortar firmly into the gap.
4. Tool the joint
   • Once the joint is filled, smooth or “tool” the surface so it matches the surrounding mortar profile.
   • Lightly brush the area once it begins to firm up to blend it with the older joints.

Fresh repairs often stand out for a few weeks, but they usually blend in better as they cure and weather.

The other option, if these are just several smaller gaps, is to use a caulked product like Selleys 440g Sandstone No More Gaps Bricks And Mortar Gap Filler or Mortafil 450g Cream Mortar. If those colours suit, it would be the easier option.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell