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Just finished a tricky repair on a 1920s brick porch in Springfield
The whole thing came down to picking the right mortar. The old stuff was this super hard, almost cement-like mix, and I had to decide between trying to match it exactly with a modern high-strength mortar or going with a softer, lime-based mix that would let the old bricks move a bit. My gut said to match the hardness, but after talking to an old-timer at the supply yard, I went with the lime mortar. It took an extra day to source and mix, but laying it felt right, you know? The joints look good and it should stop the bricks from cracking from the freeze-thaw cycles here. Has anyone else had to make a call like that on a repair job? Curious if you'd have done the same.
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henryp401mo agoTop Commenter
Smart move. Did the old-timer mention any downsides to the lime mix?
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the_jana12d ago
Man, I used to be all about matching the hardness on old brickwork... thought it was the only way to make it last. A job on a foundation wall a few years back totally changed my mind. Seeing how the softer lime let everything breathe and shift without cracking was a real lesson. You made the right call going with the old-timer's advice.
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lilya761mo ago
Had the same choice on a chimney last fall. Lime mortar moves with the old brick, right?
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