How to repair crack in brick wall?

[nik16]

 

 

I have cracks in the wall in a few places like this. I watched a video on fixing cracks in plaster but this is looking a little different. After opening the crack I see it continues in red brick. When attempting this I’d like to know how similar it is repair crack in plaster, thanks

[Dooley]

That looks pretty serious.

It may need stitching where they insert rods horizontally across the crack in the mortar lines, grout, then render, plaster and paint over the repair for interior walls.

There may also be epoxy methods like can be used in concrete cracks.

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, @nik16! It's sensational to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about fixing a crack in bricks.

As @Dooley mentioned, that appears to be a significant structural crack, so I'd recommend having the building assessed by a professional. It's important to check for any underlying issues, such as subsidence or foundation movement, as these could cause the crack to reappear even after repair. Stabilising the footings might be necessary before any repairs are attempted.

Once you're confident that there is no ongoing movement, you can proceed with the repair. The process is quite similar to repairing a large crack in plaster, though with some differences due to the materials involved. I'd suggest starting by cleaning out the crack to remove any loose debris. Then, use Earl's 1kg Concremate Expanding Cement to fill the majority of the crack. This product is ideal for cracks in masonry as it expands slightly as it sets, providing a secure fill.

Once the cement has dried, you can apply a skim coat over the top using Dunlop 4L Premix Render Joint And Patch. This will help create a smooth finish and blend the repair seamlessly with the surrounding brickwork.

If you're unsure about tackling the repair yourself or the crack seems more serious, it may be worth consulting a bricklaying professional to ensure the job is done correctly. 

Please let me know fi you have any questions.

Mitchell

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Dooley. It's great to have you join, and thanks for jumping straight in to assist members.

We look forward to hearing all about your projects and plans around the house and garden. Feel free to reach out anytime you need assistance or have something to share with the community.

Mitchell
 

[nik16]

thanks guys, just to confirm, i use the concremate to get into the cracks in the red bricks and then fill out the rest of the opened crack which looks like some kind of concrete material. once dried i then use the render joint and patch to smooth it out with the rest of the wall? thanks in advance

[MitchellMc]

That's it, @nik16. You can use the Concremate to fill up to around 8mm from the surface, and then fill in the remaining 8mm with the render.

Mitchell