Any Handymen Out There? Brick Mortar Repair Question

This is a question for anyone who is a handyman, either professionally or as a hobby.

I am wondering if you could provide advice on how best to repair damaged brick mortar.

ISSUE #1 > https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/220909/95195/01-mortar…

Holes have been drilled in incorrect locations.
They just need to be filled up.

ISSUE #2 > https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/220909/95196/02-wall-b…

Saddle clip for a leader hose is at risk of coming off as the wall plugs embedded within the mortar are too loose.
Is it advisable to apply some kind of filler, and re-drill the holes at those locations (after drying)?

I have found the following two products from Bunnings:

  1. Selleys 440g Sandstone No More Gaps Bricks And Mortar Gap Filler > $20.99
    https://www.bunnings.com.au/selleys-440g-sandstone-no-more-g…

  2. Mortafil 450g Cream Mortar > $17.00
    https://www.bunnings.com.au/brands/m/mortafil

Any advice on which would be suitable for my small jobs above. Or, please feel free to recommend a product that you swear by for such repairs.

Thank you in advance.

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Comments

  • +2

    Just use bigger sized plug for the loose ones and the other just fill it with the Selleys stuff you linked.

    • That's not going to work for the saddle clip, because the top hole has been drilled in the mortar instead of the brick.

      Also, OP, it looks like the right edge of the metal saddle clip is damaging the hose.

      • Also, OP, it looks like the right edge of the metal saddle clip is damaging the hose.

        It looks that way in the photo, but that hose was already like that before it was placed within the saddle recently.

        It is a Hoselink leader hose (similar to: https://www.hoselink.com.au/products/hi-flow-leader-hose-ext…) which has developed that scaly texture after 5 years of outdoor environmental impact. Nonetheless, it is still going strong.

  • +3

    Leaving the holes won’t be a big problem, but yes, find something that will fill them if necessary. Bit of filler of any sort will be sufficient, just depends if looks concern you.

    Use bigger plugs or stick some liquid nails in the loose ones. Bigger plugs may also need bigger screws. If the hose doesn’t really move anywhere (is you don’t pull on it) loose plugs may not be a problem.

    • Leaving the holes won’t be a big problem

      In the past, I have found insects starts nesting in any tiny spaces/openings unless you keep spraying insecticides every 6 or so months. So, I would rather have them plugged.

      Use bigger plugs or stick some liquid nails in the loose ones. Bigger plugs may also need bigger screws.

      Bigger screws won't fit through the saddle holes. I looked into the liquid nails solution. Thank you. I totally didn't know about this product.

      https://www.bunnings.com.au/selleys-320g-liquid-nails-origin…

      According to the product page:

      Suitable for wet and dry timber

      Will it be suitable for tightening up the loose mortar as well?

  • +1

    Buy a bag of mortar, mix it up up a TINY amount and fill the hole

    https://www.bunnings.com.au/bastion-20kg-mortar-mix_p0038286

    • Honestly I'd just use some sort of filler already on hand or more likely just leave the holes.

      What's OP going to do with the remaining 19.8 Kg of Mortar mix leftover?

      • What's OP going to do with the remaining 19.8 Kg of Mortar mix leftover?

        List it on buy/swap/sell for free pickup or put it in the bin? It's half the price of the other options the OP was looking at.

    • You could probably mix up a bit of pva glue and some sand even cheaper. Don’t use too much glue so it’s not runny. Make up a little ball and stuff it in the hole.
      As long as it doesn’t get water in it before drying should be all good. Doesn’t need to be structural.

  • +2

    If it's a permanent fixture with multiple saddles I would drill into the brick. The mortar will eventually break down loosening the plugs and saddles.

    If you go down this route use the correct drill bit to avoid cracking the bricks.

    Also, if that's a bbq gas line or something similar I would replace it. It looks beyond its economical life. As said above that curve in the hose is digging into the saddle and could be dangerous in the future.

    • If you go down this route use the correct drill bit to avoid cracking the bricks.

      Very reluctant to do this myself even with the correct masonry drill bit. I will leave that to a professional when they are around next time.

      It looks beyond its economical life.

      That photo probably doesn't do it justice. https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/11984039/redir

  • Thanks. You have just reminded me that I also need filler.

    • Which one are you buying?

      • The Selleys one from Bunnings. Just to cover up similar holes outside.

        • Based on the reviews, Selleys is the best option.

          I think I will need to buy a caulking gun, right?

  • +2

    I have used the 'Mortafil 450g Cream Mortar' a few times in the past, they have a lot of matching colours which is good.
    The product is quite soft and somewhat watery, and will come out of the cartridge quite quickly, but it does harden to about the same strength as mortar.

    I would recommend breaking off a lose bit of mortar (if applicable) to try and match the colour. I did not do this and instead took a photo and ended up getting a slightly lighter colour then what I needed but I wasn't overly concerned.

    I would highly recommend grabbing a pack of these cartridge caps so you can save the rest of the cartridge for a later date (if required).

    Bunnings do also have silicone nozzles for free via a dispenser in the caulk/silicone isle, it's always good to pick up a few spares.

    • I would highly recommend grabbing a pack of these cartridge caps

      Will they work with non-Monarch brands, e.g. Selleys?

      Bunnings do also have silicone nozzles for free via a dispenser in the caulk/silicone isle

      Thank you for this tip.

      • +1

        Those caps will work with all standard sizes of cartridges, so yeah it will work. It basically has the same thread as the nozzles.

  • I mount a lot of TVs in really crappy bricks/mortar (100 year old walls with render so you can't see where you are drilling). No matter how hard you try they drill big sometimes. We get a second plug and cut wedges off it and pack the hole out.
    Our panel assemblies are 40-90kg. We generally use just 4x 50mm 12 gauge screws and it holds just fine.

    Most of the builders I know fill minor holes with clear roof and gutter silicone. It "reflects" the material around it and blends right in.

    A cheap caulking gun is ~$3.

    You can buy 80g tubes of clear silicone but they are ~$11. Parfix multi-Purpose 300gm is $8 so the price with a gun is similar.

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