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what to use here ?
What process to do..
What products please to .1 fill cracks .
Mortar for old Red brick.
It looks like you are dealing with more than just cosmetic cracking @Anniep2480. From what you have shown, the wall looks more like a freestanding aesthetic divider rather than a true retaining wall, because there does not appear to be any soil retained behind it. The vertical cracking you have photographed is significant because it passes through multiple brick courses in one line. That usually indicates movement in the footing or a shift in the brickwork rather than simple weathering.
When a crack runs down through several courses like this, the main concern is stability. Mortar or filler will not actually repair the structural issue, they will only disguise the crack. Before anything else, you really do need to assess whether the wall is still safe. A freestanding brick wall with a full-height vertical crack is at risk of becoming unstable, and if someone leans on it or pushes past it, it could topple. That is why checking stability comes before choosing products.
If it does feel loose or moves under light pressure, the safest solution is to remove it and rebuild or replace it with something lighter, such as screening fixed to the post that is already there. If the wall is solid and has not shifted out of alignment, you can proceed with a cosmetic repair.
The first step is to give the entire wall a really thorough clean. A pressure washer will remove the algae, moss, and grime that have settled into the bricks and mortar. Once the wall is clean and dry, you can fill the cracks and missing joints with fresh mortar. A standard bricklaying mortar mix is all you need for the joints. For cracks running through the bricks themselves, a mortar repair mix will work, but you will not get a perfect colour match unless you tint it with oxide to suit the existing red brick. Use a small pointing trowel to work it deeply into the cracks, smooth it off, and wipe all excess from the brick faces before it begins to dry. That will give you a cleaner finish and avoid mortar staining on the bricks.
This approach will tidy the wall and help protect the exposed joints, but it will not strengthen the structure or stop future movement if the footing is failing. If the crack widens or the wall starts to lean, it is best to consider removing or rebuilding rather than continuing to patch it.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
