Bricks, Masonry, Asphalt and Concrete - repair concrete/termites
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gsb
03-04-07, 10:39 AM
We recently had to treat for termites. A national pest company did a thorough job and our house is left with 1 inch concrete patched holes every 8 inches around the redbrick and concrete foundation. It is very obvious (and not very attractive) and doesn't blend in. Is there a way to make these less obvious or better yet totally unnoticeable? Thanks.
gsb
03-05-07, 10:04 AM
Thought a little more on it, and the only way I guess is to sand the patches by hand to make them flush and use some type of stain or paint (made for concrete) and try to match the color as best as possible with the existing mortar/concrete...
gsb
03-05-07, 06:41 PM
Just in case someone else reading this has the same issue, I found out from someone on another website that over time the patches should start to blend in better. And that we can grind down the patches (haven't found out how to do that yet but the concrete/mortar must need something stronger than sanding them) flush with the existing concrete/mortar.
Tscarborough
03-05-07, 08:41 PM
It might be better to apply a stucco finish to the brick. Is that something you would consider an option?
gsb
03-06-07, 08:41 AM
Thank you for your reply, that sounds like a good option but would like to keep the look of the bricks. I think if after some time it doesn't start to blend in better (the patches are light grey, the existing mortar is light yellowish/orange- from all the years exposed to the elements) I might try staining/painting ALL of the area around each brick (will be tedious and take a long time to do the whole foundation but if it ends up looking much better, I can do a wall at a time.) :)
Tscarborough
03-08-07, 06:00 PM
Without a photo, it is hard to tell exactly what they did, but I can guess. This is what I would do if they drilled 1" holes around the foundation, some through brick, some through mortar.
First, have them grind the patches flush with the surface. That is something they should have done as a matter of course. If they would not, then I would do so, using a 4" angle grinder and an abrasive blade. If possible, I would remove the patch to a depth of 3/8" to 1/2" on the drilled hole.
I would buy some iron oxide colorant that would match, and then tuckpoint the holes, grey on the mortar, brick color on the brick. I would use an acrylic or latex bonding agent mixed into the mortar. Regular pre-mixed bagged mortar would work fine.
First, have them grind the patches flush with the surface. That is something they should have done as a matter of course. If they would not, then I would do so, using a 4" angle grinder and an abrasive blade. If possible, I would remove the patch to a depth of 3/8" to 1/2" on the drilled hole.
I would buy some iron oxide colorant that would match, and then tuckpoint the holes, grey on the mortar, brick color on the brick. I would use an acrylic or latex bonding agent mixed into the mortar. Regular pre-mixed bagged mortar would work fine.