When you look around you will see that there are many different types and colours of bricks available. A visit to a large stockist or a browse through a catalogue will enable you to choose something suitable. For garden walls you will probably want to choose a ‘facing’ brick which has an attractive decorative face…
Although you will probably want to leave major wall repairs to a professional, there are some jobs you can do yourself. Brickwork repairs Even if your outside brickwork is sound, it will benefit from an occasional scrub down with a stiff broom and clean water. Mould or algae can be removed by scrubbing the surface…
The mortar between bricks may break away and become uneven. The visible edge is called pointing and keeps a wall both weather-resistant and attractive. If pointing is necessary, use a narrow cold chisel to chop out the old pointing to a depth of about 10 mm (2/5 in). Be careful not to damage the bricks…
Though a garden wall is best left to gather lichen and become mellow with age, the wall of a house may in time come to look disreputable. A periodic scrub-down with clear water will help to keep bricks bright; and if moss collects it can be killed with a proprietary fungicide, or with ordinary household…
To bond bricks together, spread the mortar over the foundation with a bricklayer’s trowel, and lay a brick on top, the frog (hollowed-out part) uppermost. Many amateurs and, indeed, some tradesmen prefer to lay with the frog downwards because, they say, the mortar will squeeze into the hollow part and obviate the risk of tilting….
Once you have reached a decision, the work you propose doing may entail building some kind of wall. It may be merely a low wall to encompass soil in a raised part of the garden (for which you can use secondhand bricks) or it may be a boundary wall, shed or garage requiring new bricks….
From time to time brickwork may become dull and discoloured. This may be caused by grime and pollution, efflorescence, rust or accumulation of vegetable matter. Dirt or pollution. Bricks that are grime-laden and dull but otherwise in good condition usually require only simple treatment. Remove dirt with water and a stiff brush. If you suspect…