Brick Fireplace Fix

Tools:

brick chisel
hammer
trowels
dust mask
small brush
safety glasses
drop cloth
kneepads
work gloves
plastic gloves
mortar mix

1. Spread a drop cloth to protect the floor around the work area. Put on safety glasses, kneepads dust mask and gloves and chip away the old mortar using a brick chisel and hammer (figure A).

2. Shovel out mortar chips with trowel and sweep away debris with a small brush.

3. Mix mortar according to directions on the bag. Mortar contains harsh ingredients, so wear a pair of plastic gloves while mixing and applying.

5. Butter the sides of the loose brick with a pointed trowel (figure C).

6. Slide loose brick into place and tap the top and sides until the brick is even with the rest of the bricks. Remove excess mortar with the pointed trowel (figure D).

7. Fill in the joints, being careful not to get much mortar on the surrounding bricks. Let it dry for about 30 minutes, then come back and tool the joints.

8. Use a pointed trowel to skim off the excess, being careful not to remove the mortar from the joints.

9. Dip a spoon in water and use the back to tool the joints, creating a nice, finished appearance (figure E).

10. Use a rectangular trowel to create straight, even lines along the edges of the joints. Mist the fresh mortar once a day for about five days so it cures evenly.