How to fix large hole in external brick wall with pipes sticking out?

Question

Hi Team,

It would be great to get your recommendation on how best to close a hole that was made when sorting out a recent plumbing issue.

I attach a photo of the hole, which is external to a single brick house. It measures approximately 220mm x 190mm, is above a termite mesh and has two copper pipes sticking out.

My thinking is to fill the hole with pieces of bricks and mortar before rendering, with silicone placed around the copper pipes to allow for future movement. I would like to make a good job of it though and any expert advice would be much appreciated.

Cheers,

Grant

EricL · Answer

Hello @Grant123

Here are some handy guides:

* How To Render - DIY At Bunnings 
* Bricklaying 101: How To Build A Brick Wall

Please keep us updated with your progress, we look forward to seeing your brick wall fixed and rendered.

Eric

Grant123 · Answer

Hi Mitchell,

Thanks for getting back to me with a detailed explanation on how best to proceed, much appreciated.

Cheers,

Grant

MitchellMc · Answer

Hi @Grant123 ,

Your approach sounds good. I'd fill the majority of the opening with pieces of brick cut to fit and mortared securely into place, rather than trying to fill such a large opening entirely with mortar or render.

I'd start by cleaning out any loose material and dust from the opening. Cut your brick pieces so you can rebuild the area reasonably closely around the pipes, leaving a small clearance around the copper rather than mortaring directly against it. Bed the pieces into mortar and aim to bring the repair back to approximately the same depth as the existing brickwork, while leaving enough room at the face for your render.

Once the mortar has cured, you can render over the repaired section and then reproduce the existing textured finish as closely as possible before repainting.

Around the copper pipes, I'd leave a small gap and finish that with a suitable exterior-grade flexible sealant. This accommodates slight movement and avoids having rigid mortar or render hard against the copper, which could lead to cracking.

Also, make sure you don't bridge, cover or otherwise interfere with the termite management system/mesh immediately below the repair. If you're uncertain about the required clearance around that system, it's worth having the termite installer or a pest management professional check it before closing everything up.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell