Link: http://www.BrandsConstruction.com

Mortar Repair and Fixing Your Cracked Grout and Mortar Line Tips

Brick and Block-work Mortar Repair

Replacing mortar joints
What is Tuck-Pointing?
What is a Tuck-pointer?
Brick and Block Work Tools

Remodeling often comes across the common problem of brick and block work needing mortar joints replaced. Did you know mortar repair is the most common brick and block work? Brick and block mortar joints being replaced is called "Tuck-pointing". Tuck-pointing can be used to fix walls, chimneys, stone walls, and other structures where mortar is bonded with brick.

Mortar repair requires certain tools and materials to assure your success. What tools will you need to repair your mortar and your grout lines?

Repair of stone, block and brickwork requires the basic tools of a tuck-pointer, mortar hawk, raking tool, bricklayers hammer, jointing tool, stone chisel, and a stiff-bristle brush. Mortar and concrete fortifier are also needed materials for your remodel repair job of repairing brick and block crack joints known as tuck-pointing.

You motivated yet man? ARE YOU READY? Lets begin the mortar repair work! Clean out the loose mortar to about 1/2"-3/4" deep. To begin your repair work take the mortar raking tool to clean out the loose mortar. Then switch to the masonry (stone) chisel and hammer to finish the job. Once this is done, clear the loose mortar away and apply water to the surface. Then apply fresh mortar. Your Doing Great If You Are Reading Still! You Will Find Success!

Mix the mortar and add the concrete fortifier (Tinting may be necessary to match the mortar's color). Load the mortar onto the hawk (Tool with a handle or you can make your own holder with a board) and push the mortar into the joints using the tool called what? A tuck-pointer! You are catching on! At this point we are putting the mortar in the horizontal joints only. Apply the mortar in 1/4" thick layers and let each layer dry for 30 minutes before applying another layer. Keep applying mortar until the mortar is flush with the brick for optimal success.

Now is the correct time to add mortar to the vertical joints. Again, use the tuck-pointer and press mortar into the joints working from the top down. Continue with your grout line repair work applying mortar in layers as before. When the final layer of mortar is applied, smooth the joints with a jointing tool that matches the old mortar joints. Strike off the horizontal mortar lines before the vertical grout lines.

Is there a final step? Sure! For a final touch - when the mortar is crumbly after drying awhile, brush excess the with a stiff-bristle brush.

We hope this article helps you understand grout and mortar repair! In the future we hope to illustrate these articles with pictures as well - so check back often! Thank You For Reading!

Wishing You Remodeling Success!

###

Mortar Repair Links:

Brands Construction

AsktheBuilder
http://www.askthebuilder.com/621_Brick_Patio_Mortar_Repair.shtml

Mortar Tuck Pointing
http://www.masonry-restoration.com/repointing.htm

Mortar Brick and concrete Repairs
http://home.howstuffworks.com/how-to-do-brick-and-concrete-repairs1.htm

Brick and Patio Mortar Repair Tips
http://www.askthebuilder.com/621_Brick_Patio_Mortar_Repair.shtml

Brick Mortar Repair Advice from expert village
http://www.expertvillage.com/video/262_brick-mortar-repair.htm

Home Repair Tuck-pointing Tips

HGTV on Fireplace Mortar Repair

En-zine Article on Mortar Repair
http://ezinearticles.com/index.php?Mortar-Repair---The-Art-of-Tuckpointing&id=1078052

Grout and Mortar Products
Quikrete Mortar Mixture
http://www.quikrete.com/OnTheJob/Main.asp

Home Repair repairing grout and mortar
http://www.pagel-usa.com/pages/repair/repair_r20/fs_index_repair_r20.htm

Mortar Repair Tubes
http://www.sakrete.com/products/product.aspx?ID=MortarRepairTubes

Liquid Nails Mortar Product Details
http://www.liquidnails.com/ViewProductDetails.do?productId=10

Quikrete patching and mortar repair products
http://doitbest.com/Concrete+patch+and+repair-Quikrete-model-860021-doitbest-sku-286524.dib

Brick, Block, and Stonework Installation
Allendale, Grand Rapids, Zeeland Michigan Areas
http://www.brandsconstruction.com/index_files/page0006.html

Remodeling Contractor in Zeeland Michigan
http://www.BrandsConstruction.com

Painting
Painting your Home
Painting Bedrooms On A Budget

Painting our homes is something we all face. Whether we look to paint a single room such as a bedroom or paint our entire home the questions are - Can We Paint On a Budget? How can money be saved when painting your home? What supplies are needed for painting a bedroom in a home?

Shall we start with painting supplies for a bedroom? An average home room size of 10 x 15 (The average Bedroom size) will equal a coverage of 450 square feet of wall space for a home. This is assuming you have nine foot ceilings or you use a little extra paint when painting. Remember - 150 Square feet of ceiling space as well.

Many people painting homes make the mistake of not painting the ceiling of their home right away. They think the ceiling is all right, until they paint the walls. Then they decide to paint the ceiling of the home - TOO LATE.

Painting the Ceiling of your home is a good idea if you decide to paint a room. Painting the ceiling on your home first is much easier than doing only the walls and then deciding a year later to go back and paint your ceiling.

Paint Coverage
A gallon of paint covers 250 to 400 square feet. Take this times two and we have enough for the walls and the ceiling for the bedroom in your home.

Home Painting Supplies?
An angled paint brush, a roller, roller covers, a paint pan, painters (blue rolls) or masking tape, painter paper (covering trim) paint edger, plastic, painters caulk, caulk gun, wood filler or putty, and a putty knife are other supplies needed before starting painting.

Paint Brush and Roller Quality
Paint Brush and paint roller quality is important! Know the quality of brushes and rollers you are purchasing and what paint brush type works best to ensure quality painting for your home as well as making the painting process much easier.

Dollar stores also sell home painting materials. Often they have high quality brushes along with the standard lower grade stock. This can be a place for a bargain! This is also true for rollers and roller covers.

However - most people find the paint brush and roller selection there is often lower end. This can be frustrating ! Fuzzies get all over as you begin painting with cheap paint rollers. Pick, Pick, pick, fuzzie, fuzzie, fuzzie... NO FUN AT ALL! Perhaps purchasing painting materials from your local home center is a better choice after all!

Often paying more for better quality painting materials will cost less in the long run. If you understand paint brush and roller types - you can get bargains but for most of us paying more will end up with us paying less when our home painting project is complete.

Home Painting Protection
Red Resin Paper (3' Rolls of Red Paper)
Painters Paper
Rolls of Plastic (Poly is a common term) 9 foot to 12 foot rolls by 50 feet to 250 feet long

Painting Budgeting Dollars
Plan on spending around $100 to $125 on painting materials if you are planning on painting a bedroom in your home. Sticking with good quality paint will cost you less on your paint coverage as well as the time you spend painting in your home. You know what they say! Time is money! Save yourself a headache and use good quality paints!

Take care of your home painting tools. The paint brushes, pan, edger, putty knife, and paint roller can all be cleaned and used again for painting following rooms in your home.

Saving painting tools lowers your painting budget! This adds up to quite a bit if painting multiple rooms. (Instead of $125 dollars for painting one rooms - perhaps under $180 Dollars for two!) Cleaning your painting tools right away also helps keep the painting project flowing smoothly.

Home Painting Tip - Folding Plastic or Tarp
You protected the floor from paint spills with plastic or a tarp correct? When painting the room is complete and you are moving to another room in your home - fold your plastic or tarp toward the center! This will allow you to use it again.

Paint Brushes can also be placed in storage bag(s) (Two bags is better than one!) and placed in re-fridge or freezer of your home when taking a break.

Foam paint brushes - handy painter touch up tip!
Have a few of these!

I will probably hear it from the true penny pincher's, but I usually throw away used paint roller covers. Currently it is $7 for a six pack and cleaning them just isn't worth my time. Paint Rollers also seem to lose absorbency and using a new paint roller for each project area seems to work best.

Paint Dollar Amount
If you shop around and find bargains for good quality paint you may be able to purchase paint for your home in the $25 to $35 range per gallon. It may be as high as $45 which at first seems high doesn't it! Painting dollars can be saved when purchasing the paint in larger quantities such as five gallon buckets.

Buying Quality Paint Saves Dollars
Remember that we get what we pay for! A recent home owner painted first the upstairs and later the basement of the home. They found they used twice as much paint using the lower dollar paint for their home! The actually paid 1/3 more for the lower dollar paint! Sticking with quality paint for your home is in your best interest! Be smart - It is your money - Keeping an eye out for sales and rebates is a great idea!

Painting Reminder - Bottom Line -
- Good quality paint will cost you less short term, and help to ensure your satisfaction with the painting for your home for years to come!

Wishing You Success!

Do you have any home painting tips or suggestions you would like to share? Please Comment! You can also email us - google@remodelingsuccess.com.

Home Painting Links

Interior Decorator Painting Tips
http://interiordec.about.com/od/interiorpainting/a/a_paintingtips.htm

Do It Yourself Painting Supplies Info
http://www.doityourself.com/scat/paintandsupplies

Painting Techniques
http://www.sherwin-williams.com/do_it_yourself/painting_techniques/index.jsp

Painting Video

Ace Hardware Painting Tips
http://www.acehardware.com/paintingtips/index.jsp

House Painting Info
http://www.house-painting-info.com/

Do It Yourself Painting Article
http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/hi_painting/article/0,,DIY_13928_2565146,00.html

This old house painting article
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,193968-6,00.html

About Painting
http://painting.about.com/

House Painting Guru painting tips
http://www.housepainting-guru.com/painting-tips.html

Home Renovations about wall trim painting tips
http://homerenovations.about.com/od/wallsandtrim/a/artpainttips.htm

Paint Splashes painting
http://www.paintsplashes.com/

Painters Tips on Blogs

Tuition Painters Info
Two good painter tips pages
http://tuitionpainters.info/
http://tuitionpainters.us/

Home Tips Blog on painting
http://www.hometips.com/blog/

Painting rooms the right color tips
http://homedecorgalleryandmore.blogspot.com/2007/03/painting-room-with-right-color-4-tips.html

House Painting Info Painting Article
http://www.house-painting-info.com/house-painting-blog.html

House Painting Info painting tips articles
http://www.house-painting-info.com/painting-tip-articles.html

Please Read Our Legal Policy in Welcome and Know We Are Not Responsible For Content On These Websites! Do Let Us Know If The Sites are Useful Or If You Have Any Problem With the Links! We will update our site accordingly - Thank You!

Footnote: Fuzzy, and fuzzies are author made up words. What do you think? Is fuzzie better than Fuzz? Please Comment!

Thank You!