Repointing And Parging Brick Steps From Start To Finish

[@robertsherwin1896]

Wow John, a substantial improvement! Looks great! And you make it look so easy. I attempted to do this to my brick steps years ago. I watched several videos, went to Home Depot, got the tools and mortar, and that's all I remember except that nothing worked the way it did in your video. I had mortar everywhere, every time I tried to "fine tune" the joints they got worse and worse, etc. I've become a pretty good DIYer over the years, and you may have inspired me to give it another go. Thank you for taking the time to record the process--great video!!! 👍👍👍

[@chrisperry7963]

Nice job, John. I actually have a step that could use this type of treatment. Thanks for the great demo!

[@enduringcharm]

It's a very common issue--better to tackle it sooner than later, though!

[@krn14242]

Looks great John. Thanks for the video.

[@RickFinkForReal]

I was told there would be drumming in this video. 🙃 Great content, John! Thanks!

[@enduringcharm]

HA! Yeah, maybe I should have some musical accompaniment.

[@RickFinkForReal]

@@enduringcharm I’m here for you man.

[@paedahe4975]

Nice way to step it up. Thanks for sharing.

[@enduringcharm]

Ah! I see what you did there.

[@paedahe4975]

@@enduringcharm After making it look so nice, people are going to stair. lol

[@darrenskinner5928]

Nice job John as always merry Christmas

[@marksteven3534]

Next level 4 sure. I like to use a grout bag I just think it goes faster.

[@64maxpower]

a multi-tool with a carbide bit on it works really well in those areas you need to be gentle

[@murphaa9564]

Any tips for cleaning mortar mix stained red brick?

[@enduringcharm]

Hydrochloric acid will take off any excess, but test for color-fastness.

[@aaronfagerstrom34]

Good work and showing off your extensive knowledge again. ...but, you are def not a mason. You still did a damn good job

[@enduringcharm]

Ha! True, a mason would have started over, I'm sure. I'm happy to stick with carpentry, though sometimes I'll do repairs like this as a favor.

[@Katana_00]

Nice work! What type of mortar would you recommended for an old sub grade fieldstone foundation in Boston?

[@enduringcharm]

You do need to be careful about the mortar used in historic applications, especially when brick is involved. A softer mortar is often appropriate. For field stone you may have a mix of stone types, some more durable than others. You might want to stay with a softer type "N" mortar for that project.

[@Katana_00]

@@enduringcharmThank you!

[@timmccarty8111]

I noticed you added mortar over joints that were not crumbling and seemed fine. Was that just a thin overcoat, or did you scrape away some of the old mortar.

[@enduringcharm]

I can't recall my motivation from that time now, but I can tell you that new mortar will stick to old mortar as long as it is clean. I may have just been making sure the color matched in all the joints, or perhaps the older joints were deeper than the new ones and I was matching them up. I recall a job I once did for a complex fireplace mantel. The existing brick fireplace surround had a black mortar in the joints, which telegraphed a modern look. Since the joints were fairly deep, I was able to just add a normal color mortar on top of what was there and it looked great.

[@Eli-from-Boston.]

Awesome