Okay, here is a blog post about my experience with brick mortar filler, written in a conversational and informal style.
So, I’ve got this old brick wall in my backyard, right? It’s seen better days. Some of the mortar between the bricks was crumbling. It looked pretty rough, and I figured I should probably do something about it before the whole thing decided to fall apart. I’m no bricklayer, but I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty, so I thought, “Why not try fixing it myself?”
First things first, I needed to get the old, loose mortar out. I grabbed a hammer and a chisel, put on some safety glasses – wouldn’t want mortar in my eyes – and started tapping away. It took a while, and it was pretty dusty work, but I managed to get most of the loose stuff out. I made sure to go in about an inch or so, just to give the new mortar something to really grip onto. I also cleaned the spaces out with a wire brush to make sure there wasn’t any loose debris.
Then came the fun part – mixing the new mortar. I picked up a bag of pre-mixed mortar from the hardware store. All I had to do was add water. I followed the instructions on the bag, dumped the mortar mix into a bucket, and slowly added water while stirring with a trowel. It was kind of like making a really thick, gritty pancake batter. I aimed for a consistency that was workable but not too runny – something that would hold its shape but still be easy to push into the joints.
- Mixing mortar: Add water slowly, mix to a thick paste.
- Apply: Use a trowel to push into joints.
- Smooth: Use a jointing tool for a clean finish.
Once the mortar was mixed, I started applying it. I used a pointing trowel, which is a small, narrow trowel, to scoop up some mortar and push it into the joints between the bricks. I overfilled the joints a little, knowing I’d be smoothing it out later. Then I used a tool called a jointing tool, or striker. Running the jointing tool along the filled joints, I got rid of the excess mortar and gave it a nice, clean finish. There are different types of jointing tools for different styles – concave, V-shaped, weathered – but I just went with a simple concave one.
After I finished filling all the joints, I let the mortar set for a little while, and brushed it all down to make it look nice.
The result?
The wall looks so much better now! It’s not perfect, mind you, but it’s a huge improvement. And the best part is, I did it myself! It was a good learning experience, and it saved me a bunch of money by not having to hire a professional. Plus, there’s a certain satisfaction that comes from fixing something with your own two hands. If you’ve got a similar problem with your brickwork, don’t be afraid to give it a shot. Just make sure you do your research, get the right tools, and take your time. You might surprise yourself with what you can accomplish!
