Holes in the mortar of brick walls can be drilled for a variety of reasons. However, if they are not in use by cables, electrical wires, or pipes, this will leave the holes exposed. Not only does this often look unsightly, but dust, debris, and water can gather in the wall. Thankfully, patching up holes in the mortar is an easy task that will ensure your walls look great and are at minimal risk of damage.
Mix Mortar:
Slowly add water to a mortar mix until it is stiff enough to form a ball. The mix should stand without slumping or collapsing. Bear in mind that mortar continues to stiffen as it sets, so only mix as much as you need to use.
Clean the Hole:
Using a stiff wire brush, clean out the inside of the hole and the surface of the brick, removing any debris, dust, and loose particles. Make sure that there is no damage to the mortar underneath the area that you are going to patch.
Load the Mortar:
The next step is to load your mortar onto your trowel. Choose a trowel size that is easy to work with based on the hole that you are patching. Pile mortar on the trowel while holding it upside down. Bear in mind that mortar can cause burns or skin irritation if it comes into contact with your skin, so it’s a good idea to wear gloves.
Fill the Hole:
Using your trowel, scrape the mortar into the hole. You can use a pointed trowel or another pointing tool to push the mortar into the hole and in between the bricks, packing it tightly. After the first batch of mortar begins to stiffen, use a jointer or wheel rake to add more mortar.
Scrub the Area:
Use a stiff wire brush to wipe away any particles of mortar that have been left on the bricks. You can also use a scraper tool to scrape away any excess mortar once it has had some time to dry and harden.
Patching Holes in the Brick:
For holes that have been drilled directly into the brick rather than the mortar, you can patch them using a similar method. Mix brick dust or concrete pigment into the mortar before patching the hole so that it is a similar colour to the existing wall. You can press a brick on the mortar before it dries to ensure that the texture matches.