Pipes, cables, and electrical wires often require holes to be drilled into a brick wall. However, moving the cables, pipes, or wires, or drilling in the wrong place, will leave holes that can be unsightly and attract dirt, debris, and water. Thankfully, plugging a hole in a brick wall is a simple task that can easily be done by yourself or with the help of a professional. There are various methods to choose from depending on the placement and size of the brick.
Preparation:
Regardless of whether the hole is situated in the brick or the mortar, you should prepare by cleaning out any dust and debris from the hole using a stiff wire brush.
Plugging a Hole in the Brick:
If the hole has been drilled into the brick itself, you can use silicone caulk or a mortar mixture to plug it. Silicone caulk is an easy option since it can often be bought pre-mixed and you can add brick dust to the wet caulk once the hole is filled to ensure that it matches the colour and texture of the existing wall. Simply load up your caulk onto a caulking gun and place it inside the hole, filling it up until it is flush with the brick. Then use a trowel to press brick dust onto the wet caulk and leave it to dry.
You can also use a mortar mixture to fill holes in a brick wall. To do this, mix mortar with water and brick dust of a matching colour until you achieve the desired shade. The mixture should be at a consistency where it can form a ball. Then load up your trowel with the mixture and pack it into the hole. You can use a pointing tool to pack it in tightly. Once filled, press a brick onto the wet mortar mixture to ensure that once dried, it matches the texture of the existing brick.
Plugging a Hole in the Mortar:
If the hole has been drilled directly into the mortar, you can easily fill this with a mortar mixture. Mix the mortar with water until it has an easily pliable consistency. Then use a trowel and pointing tool to scrape the mortar into the hole and tightly pack it inside until it matches the rest of the mortar. Use a stiff wire brush to scrape any excess mortar from the surrounding brick and leave it to dry.