Repairing Brick and Stone Flatwork

Brick and stone flatwork can chip, crumble and crack with age and wear. This leaves an unsightly mess that can actually become dangerous. Repairing brick and stone flatwork isn't terribly difficult. The sooner you can repair damage, the safer you will make the walkway area. You'll also prevent further damage, which can be harder to deal with.

Brick or stone flatwork in walkways and sidewalks needs to repaired at the first sign of damage. Not only will cracked or crumbling flatwork create safety issues, it can lead to more extensive damage that is difficult to deal with later.

• Identify the problem area and figure out what kind of damage is present. The extent of the damage will determine what needs to be done to correct it.


• Clean out mortar joints. If the brick or stone is loose because of a mortar joint you can repair this easily and salvage the brick. Chisel out any loose mortar, and cut in to the mortar about 1/2 inch in. This will give you plenty of room for the new mortar.


• Fill the mortar with a new mortar mix. For deep joints you will want to add some sand as a filler. The wet joint will need several hours to dry completely. Once it's dried you want to check the surrounding bricks and stones to be sure they are secure.


• Remove bricks or stones that are cracked or crumbling. This type of damage can't be easily repaired without replacing the stone. To do this you need to loosen the mortar joints and chisel out the damaged area. If the stone has a clean crack you can remove it, repair the crack, and replace the brick.


• Once the new brick is in place you'll need to stay off the area for about a week. It can take this long for the new mortar to cure. During the curing process you don't want to add extra pressure to the area.


• Consider sealing the flatwork when the repair is done. This will help protect the bricks and stones from damage from water and dirt. Sunlight, weather, changing temperatures and dirt can all cause damage over time. Sealing the area only takes a few hours and protects the flatwork from these issues.