Repairing Mortar Joints in Brick Steps - How to - DIY - EASY

[@joefinnigan7152]

I’m a union brick pointer out of Philadelphia. Not to criticize but just for a different perspective. I would use a 4 in angle grinder for any of the loose or failed joints. Or a hammer and chisel would Safice for a few joints. Then would blow off and clean surface. It’s best to use a slicker to put in mortar so you don’t leave smear stains all over the brick and also to compact mortar.Then after mortar cures hose off any of the stain off the brick. You can always tape off each side of brick with painters tape, for less clean up. Also if your mixing by hand try a bucket trowel or a 2 inch square trowel. I would not recommend a piece of wood to mix.

[@danih7577]

That’s my plan Mr finegan . I have everything taped off. Regarding matching my 20 year old old mortar …could I give the intact mortar a little skim coat with a small brush? I don’t like Mismatch masonary and I’d like to do a perfect job my first time. I have removed all the old Mortar but I will have a lot of patching all over the place 😂. I bought muric acid for some limestone deposits on the landing where there is flagstone/multi colored slate . It did not remove the big patches of white deposits. Also the brick trim at the landing has a lot of blackish staining and just a terrible brick color compared to the two steps brick steps leading up to the landing. There all the same brick batch just the top seemed to get a lot of black sooty looking discoloration . I may consider removing my taping and possibly leaving a little mortar dusting because that brick is stained so dark . I went over everything with muric acid ( acid magic brand name ) 1:3 ratio twice . There are a couple of white paint drops that didn’t come up either (not a huge concern . But I had power washed as the first step with 30 seconds outdoor cleaner and used muric acid 2x . I would welcome any advice. Thinking of googling using my riyobi all purpose to maybe try sanding ? It looks like two different bricks because color and the splotches on the flag stone looks like giant size bird poop. Salts I guess.

[@NEUTRALDROP]

Thanks man I'm in the Home Depot parking lot getting myself ready

[@kathleenpaton7162]

Filled the cracks in my front brick stoop today after watching your video. Came out great. Very clear and easy to follow instructions. Thank you.

[@minthillbilly]

Fantastic! Glad the video helped. Have a great day!

[@randyd9343]

Great Video - Finally someone who can provide straight forward instructions for the non professional with tools and equipment that is easily obtainable. I have seen videos where they recommend using diamond grinders to grind out the existing mortar and providing more of professional techniques that is not convenient for the average home improvement person. It is the DIY non professional videos and instructions I value most. Thanks again!

[@reaper-sz5tm]

Same here. I repointed my patio steps for $50 in tools and materials instead of paying a brick mason $10 per square foot to do it for me, let the weather and rain wash away any extra mortar, it makes you appreciate the work you do around your home more

[@Ihaveseenjesus.]

I'm a experienced mason and I've never used a sponge on brick...I was skeptical about this when I saw you fill the mud joint but you pulled it off in the end....I guess you can still teach a old dog new tricks.Good job sir

[@theearthisntflatpleasestop9899]

What do you normally use to get off the excess?

[@jimlimberakis8115]

Great video. I have some bricks that need attention on my front step. Now I feel able to fix them after watching your video. Thank you.

[@bobd.]

You've got links to everything on the WWW EXCEPT the video you mentioned about resetting bricks.Other than that thanks for the tips on repairing mortar joints on brick steps.

[@Sympster]

Here it is: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnKUZKqhYrhsndE

[@lindamccain3357]

Great directions simplified!! I think I can do this, I'm 68 years old wish me luck.

[@mattyrsofar]

Thank you so much for your videos, you make it so much easier than some other videos I watched that made things unnecessarily complicated. Thank you for your clarity and for sharing your home improvement experience!!

[@jamesb7290]

Finally a video that isn't showing how to fix with a caulking gun. Thank you.

[@juliava605]

haha I came here to say can't we just use masonry caulking/sealant? 🤭

[@patrickmcclary6023]

Great video! Instruction was given so well that even a novice like myself can be confident in doing the job!

[@K31swiss]

I just redone my steps a couple days ago. Came up with pretty much the same method except I used a tuck pointer to pack the mortar in real good.

[@mccorklehometeam]

Great video. I’m about to do the same thing you just did.

[@bradrichardson8020]

Great Video! After watching a few video, I reset three brick after removing mortar. The job looks great! Thanks for your help!

[@zeegood2894]

thank you! great info about the sponge not being too wet too. I need to help my parents fix their brick.

[@truthseekerKJV]

I'd use masking tape to keep the mortar off the bricks and prevent the need for using a sponge to clean up.

[@clarkeason3948]

Fantastic job! You're a great teacher; this is exactly what i needed to understand! Excellent and thank you!

[@MsWickedGirl]

Question…to fill small cracks and holes, could we use some kind of silicone tool that is small so that mortar doesn’t go everywhere. Hello, to get it down in the holes, could we use silicone straws?

[@brucearmenante7945]

Some say to wet the area first before applying the mortar. Thoughts?

[@OrganicHealer]

i wonder of you can put the mortar mixture in a cake icing bag to just squeeze in the holes neatly?

[@djadu01]

Exactly what I was thinking.

[@drrick8839]

Thanks for this video Bobby. I have very similar damage on my front stoop and I am going to attempt a DIY repair, thanks to you. I’ll see what I can buy from your affiliates in order to support your channel.

[@tipr8739]

it’s not bobby it’s boomhauer

[@kp3509]

I just want to say thank you for this video! My house is for sale, and nothing worst is welcoming potential home owners with cracking front door steps when the inside is spectacular. I am going to make this happen today as I have concrete left over from the pros that had done the steps five years ago. This is the first time I will be working with real cement.

[@Satellitegirl41]

Great video. I have some front steps that need this. Thanks! :)

[@tommclaughlin1041]

I just got finished doing several joints. looks like a mason did it. Thank you!

[@anissawillis]

Great tutorial and your instruction is very clear and thorough! Thank you!

[@ClassicTV4U]

Very nice basic explanation...I am going to try this on some loose mortar between bricks and also the perimeter of my small porch area.

[@russelljochim8607]

Are you in mint hill NC? I need some advice on a brick staircase that needs repair

[@veepee555]

you are a life-saver bud.. great video

[@lisap6645]

Most informative one ive seen on here. Im a first time homeowner and thanks to this video im more confident about doing tbis myself. Thank you for posting

[@shawnryan3428]

I can't find the link for the video on resetting the bricks you mentioned. Can you post it back up

[@DonnaBlue-s8r]

I have no doubt I can mix mortar :). I'll use what looks like a pastry bag to apply it because I can be messy. The mortar is grey but the other bricks have a whiter appearance. Is there something I can do to get the whiter color? Tnx.

[@davidtiller4334]

Thanks for the video as it gives me confidence I can replicate. To all the critics, if YOU are the experts #1 why are watching this video? #2 where's your instructional video? So thanks again Mint, great video.

[@chipwatson5901]

I noticed in your video that the old motor looks light beige but your wet mortar is dark grey. The mortar in my steps looks like sand color. Will standard mortar dry to match the light beige color? How can I match yellow sand color. Thanks

[@donnagreen6996]

So I had someone do this for me. Had purchased the sponge and everything, but apparently sponge didn't work well for him and now there is mortar on my bricks. My bricks have grooves. What can I get to remove the dried mortar? Is there a metal brush or something?

[@DAS-Videos]

Muriatic acid.

[@theearthisntflatpleasestop9899]

Does the grey end up turning tan?

[@jroc01]

This is just what I'm looking for,down to the type of steps i need to repair..thank you for your time.

[@stevena.2306]

great instructional video; off to Home Depot.

[@magma2551]

In your video on setting bricks you use mortar/stucco mix "type S". Here you're using mortar mix "type N". I have one brick I need to reset and some cracks I need to fix will the straight mortar mix work for both? Thanks.

[@luckydawg6077]

That haze can be removed with a little masonry acid mixed with water something like 1:3 ratio and that sponge if you have a bigger area to clean.

[@cowboyf1699]

This is great. No need to hire a professional for this minor fix. Thanks!

[@actionjksn]

I'm doing an almost identical set of steps for a customer. I'm a carpenter and drywall guy but I think I can pull this off. I'm gonna have to pull a good number of bricks and reset them first. I'll be watching the other video. Hopefully I can make it look like I know what I'm doing haha Gotta pour a concrete sidewalk that meets up to the steps as well. Unfortunately it's just small enough to not be worth calling in a concrete truck so I'm going to have to mix it as well. I'll be renting one of those little Home Depot cement mixers.

[@DAS-Videos]

If it isn't too much cement you can get a cement mixing tub for about 17$ at HD and a shovel or hoe. They make it easy to mix cement. I give you drywall guys a lot of credit, I can't feather in tape joints very good or skim coat very good and I practice a lot.

[@actionjksn]

@@DAS-Videos I already had the mixing tub that you described from another job. The job came out really nice. 35 bags at 80 lb each, it was brutal that job totally kicked my ass.

[@DAS-Videos]

@@actionjksn 35 bags is a lot, you did need a cement mixer.

[@actionjksn]

@@DAS-Videos I rented the mixer from Home Depot for this job. The mixer is rated for four bags but really it works better with about three.

[@renaissancemusicllc9804]

Hi! Is the mortar your using "Type N". (I tried to read it off the bag lol). Thnx.

[@tayronachan]

thx, good info, getting ready to repair the joints in some brick steps here.

[@domtam6571]

Thank you for posting.

[@liambaker1597]

Adding the water slowly will help instead of adding more cement if your mix gets too runny

[@denisebehling9772]

Worked great! Thx

[@Charlie-kw9jk]

Thanks for this. Liked and subbed!

[@karenws6683]

Thank you! you made that look like I could do it.Great video

[@mrbondohrama]

I don't see the link to resetting bricks as mentioned in the video.

[@jonhoward3]

Here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnKUZKqhYrhsndE

[@truthseekerKJV]

It seems to me that the use of masking tape before applying the mortar would work better than using a sponge to wipe away the excess.

[@bwing411]

I wondered the same thing, although masking tape is pretty weak against masonry. I bet some good duct tape would do it

[@dillon2333]

Just squeeze it in the cracks like a baker does icing on a cake. Plastic tip and bag, squeeze the mortar right in there.

[@Sarah-ic4yu]

@@dillon2333have you used that technique? That was my first inclination but I don’t want to mess it up

[@dillon2333]

Plastic tip and a bag, can squirt the mortar right in the cracks. No mess.

[@pekerhed101]

So is it NOT necessary to use Concrete Bonding Adhesive before filling it in with the Mortar Mix? I've seen somebody else using the adhesive in their video. But if I don't really need it, then lemme know. Thanks.

[@bayoudude622]

Good video, helpful.

[@garypick]

I found that, at least for the bricks I used, there is a bit of a white haze on the bricks, even after using the sponge. A pressure washer can help after the mortar has a chance to dry. You don't want to gut the joints you just put in. When using a pressure washer, us the white or green tip, green ideal. Other tips could leave grooves in the brick. And, you can always start a foot or so away and get closer as needed. Be careful.

[@bigpetetutorials4156]

Thanks. I tried a small area using sand mix- way different color. I guess the key is to use the mortar mix for a basic color. Glad I didn’t do too much! 👍🇺🇸

[@Kwilson3828]

Great video.

[@peternasseri736]

thanks for the helpful tip '

[@JoshuaBudd]

This is evidence being that a good brick layer does not mean your a good tuckpointer... my goodness, that could have been a lot easier with pointing tools

[@b.dwaynearmstrong577]

You make a video with your better technique

[@philbradley8377]

I would fire my guys for doing that. If you don't own pointing tools and a hawk you should buy yourself some masking tape and tape grout the brick

[@gregsaiter3768]

Question: how do you dispose of the extra mortar? Also, can I use this same process for repairing crumbling mortar between my concrete block basement wall? Thanks. This is the best info on this process I have seen.

[@shusha50]

What an awesome video. thks for your invaluable tips. To the point . short and sweet.

[@dannythebeerman]

sakrete enabling lousy color match jobs, is there any place in america where all mortar and concrete is gray?

[@dannythebeerman]

posted another comment

[@137momoko]

Thank you so much. This video helps me a lot.

[@olben1095]

Please show completed work once it’s dry.

[@michaelrobinson4677]

Excellent video, thanks!!

[@donjalex2262]

Thank you! Great tips!

[@darktoadone5068]

I have a set of front door steps that are going to be a pain to repair, they are 16 feet long and 5 feet wide and the mortar joints are in terrible condition. Lot of work.

[@juliechang6299]

I wanted to do the repair and then paint. Do you recommend painting first so it doesn’t get the red on the mortar?

[@tipr8739]

Don’t paint brick it needs to be a special breathable wash, paint cannot breathe but brick can, so the combination will trap water

[@redrckr1]

Is there a concern about the Color of the mortar? I was told that I need to ensure the color matches.

[@JoshuaBudd]

Yes, you need to let a small sample size dry for a day to compare to the old. If it doesn't match you gotta google dyes you can add for color. found at home depot

[@agodwin2011]

Hey I need to do my steps can you tell me the type of mortar u used did it dry white my steps has the white not gray mortar.. Most of the bags I see here in stores are gray dont know why. Great video

[@Trevor_bow]

We always wash the brick at the end with acid or the shity cleaner

[@thomasturner3834]

Great job

[@beckyleung7233]

very good

[@Mr.Titanium1911]

Great video. Thanks for taking the time :)

[@王小可-r2p]

Great video! Can we just pour Quikrete fast setting concrete mix into hole and water it?

[@BenjaminDavis104]

No, concrete is too hard. Mortar is supposed to be less hard than the bricks because otherwise water cannot leave the bricks and they will crack over time. Having the mortar be softer allows for free flow of water and the mortar will crack first which is much easier to repair or replace.

[@illuminati8181]

This guy teaches well.

[@bellknapable]

Does this mortar come in a premixed version for small jobs?

[@JoshuaBudd]

Yes

[@CY-ZG]

thank you

[@richiesquest3283]

Not sure where this is but it must be a warmer climate, as those bricks don't look like they would cope with to much freezing.

[@tsetendorjee9040]

Thank you very much it helps a lot!

[@stephenhuskins920]

For a small bit why didn't you use masking tape

[@mr.t.3689]

Thanks for the video.

[@cbpelto]

So why didn't you show us how to deal with that one on the lower step where there is no mortar between the two bricks?

[@480vmotor]

Thanks, going out to try it now

[@darrellhousand857]

Good video. Very helpful.

[@williammiller7791]

wife uses stock pot, "wow! this beef stew is gritty!"

[@realruggeddiy]

“That’s about right for filling these cracks.” This is usually what I say to my wife before turning off the lights to sleep.

[@woodsmic]

Wow!

[@oliereckis4167]

Hey Mint, thanks for your helpful videos. But one thing.... That looks like a big ole soup pot yer using to clean with. What does yer wife think about you usin' her soup pot fer yer cleaning projects?

[@chuckyarbrough501]

Wouldn't it be easier just to use a tube of qwikrete mortar repair with a caulk gun?

[@nancypierce4795]

Helpful!

[@SheriffWalt]

Great vid, thank you

[@marissaw1586]

Very helpful

[@savygarnr9526]

I mean what I would have done I would have taped off the sides so the brick wouldn't get so full of motar you know cuz that's hard to clean off once you start trying to regrout it I would've put tape on both sides of the brick so the motar wouldn't get all over the brick

[@ljeanwoe]

Thanks!

[@Jollyrancher120]

Promised link was not provided. But I know what camera he filmed it with.

[@ritakinner2606]

Where is it?

[@arechj]

Thanks very helpful!!!

[@MAGAMAN]

This guy is mistaking bricks and tile. First, use a smaller trowel. 2nd, wet the brick and cement joints before adding more cement. 3rd, look up "pointing tool". The joints this guy "fixed" are overfilled compared to the rest of the joints because he did it wrong. Because he didn't wet the brick, there is a very good chance these repairs will need to be fixed again in a few years because they will fail.

[@BruceT-rg8bp]

Wear gloves... it looks like it would be alot of cleaning job to take care of....

[@SonomaEnergyCapital]

He Mom why does the spaghetti taste gritty. Has Dad been using the spaghetti pot again?

[@danielmurphy9844]

As a bricklayer this was hard to watch

[@ikeyike543]

So, make a better instructional video or STFU!

[@InsanelyGhostly]

You sound like Bill Clinton