How to Replace Damaged Bricks

A homeowner can fix some brick damage, but knowing the difference between a DIY-suitable repair and one that calls for a professional mason is essential. A DIYer should never attempt brick replacement on a load-bearing wall that needs replacing four or more contiguous bricks.

When a load-bearing wall is seriously damaged, it is a serious accident waiting to happen, and it’s best not to attempt your own repairs. For example, the exterior brick replacement work on chimneys is almost always load-bearing, and DIYers should tackle only minor repairs on such structures.

Masons are brick experts who charge about $20 to $40 per square foot or $40 to $75 per hour, depending on the damage and quality of the existing brick, according to HomeAdvisor. At a minimum, you can expect to pay about $200 to $400 for a few hours of work. However, the average brick repair job is about $1,600.

Fortunately, most brick homes have an outer brick facade constructed of a “veneered” brick wall. Veneered means it is a brick skin over wood framing. Since that brick wall is not load-bearing, you can confidently replace those bricks yourself. To replace an individual brick, remove it or if it doesn’t come out easily, carefully break it up to remove it; be mindful not to damage the surrounding bricks. Allow the replacement brick to soak in water before setting it.

Repairing Crumbling Brick

Bricks and mortar are porous. When you see crumbling brick, this is also called spalling or blowing. A blown brick or spalling is usually caused by water and time. Water expands and contracts when frozen, which can dislodge mortar and make bricks lose their rigidity. Erosion and weathering are harsh on bricks, particularly the mortar and air spaces that can hold water.

Another reason for crumbling brick is using high-pressure washers on a brick facade, which can be too forceful for bricks and masonry.

If you notice cracks in the brick or along the mortar lines in a staircase pattern, those breaks can indicate a bigger problem, such as shifts in the home’s foundation.

You can do minor repair projects on a solid load-bearing wall, but only if it needs four or fewer bricks replaced. Before replacing the bricks, consider using brick repair filler products instead. A filler is an excellent option for covering cracks, chips, drill holes, and other minor damage. Filler is usually ready-mixed, can be used for interior and exterior brick, and can match brick color and texture.

Before You Begin

Selecting the right replacement brick may sound easy but it’s essential to the aesthetic success of the repair. It’s not as simple as it sounds with an older home where the brickwork is many decades old. Even the standard red bricks can vary by color and size. If you have an old piece of the brick you’re replacing, take that with you to a brickyard to find an acceptable replacement. If the brick is very old, you can also try an architectural reclamation company where old reclaimed architectural materials are sold.

Study the existing brickwork before starting work so you’re prepared to mimic the look as closely as possible with your repair. Pay particular attention to the joints between bricks. You may need pigments and proper tools to create joints that are the proper color and shape.

Safety Considerations

One of the most common places for brickwork to fail is also the place where DIYers should be most reluctant to work—on rooftops where chimneys terminate, or high above the ground on exterior fireplace brickwork. Masonry work requires carrying heavy materials and working with both hands, and doing this kind of work high above the ground is best left to professionals who have the scaffolding and safety harnesses that allow them to do this work safely.