Repairing old brickwork and crumbling concrete isn't as difficult as it may seem. With a bit of knowhow, the right equipment and some elbow grease, you can do a next-to-professional job at a fraction of the price. So roll up your sleeves and see if you've got what it takes by taking this quiz.
What is the best definition of tuckpointing?
crumbling brick mortar joints
repair work on loose mortar joints
damaged mortar joints
Why is it unwise to neglect loose mortar joints?
because moisture can penetrate and do damage to the interior walls
because you might regret it
because the house will lose heat
Which of these are appropriate tools for tuckpointing?
sandpaper, saw and tape measure
screwdriver, clean rag and pliers
safety goggles, heavy hammer and cold chisel
When mixing the mortar, why should you test it out first on cardboard?
in order to see if it can be absorbed by the cardboard
in order to test for the right color as it dries
in order to experiment with the right texture
How do you retain the same shape when you're tuckpointing V-shaped mortar joints?
You use a small-diameter metal pipe.
You use your fingers to mold the shape.
You use the point of the trowel to make the same shape.
Approximately how long would it take you to replace a chimney brick?
If you're having trouble removing a loose brick, what should you do?
Call an expert.
When you test out the mortar on cardboard, what happens when it dries?
It gets darker.
It gets lighter.
You've just replaced a new brick in your chimney and the mortar has set well. What's the final thing you need to do?
Light a fire.
Wash it down with a hose.
Brush with a stiff brush to remove excess mortar.
What do you use a chisel for when repairing concrete steps?
to make matters worse
to chisel out the worn edges and remove crumbling concrete
to chisel out the excess concrete after you have applied a fresh layer
You've put down fresh concrete on your old steps. Now, you cover the steps and let the patches cure for a few days. What do you use as a cover?
a plastic dropcloth
a sheet of tarpaulin
a hessian cloth
How long does it take for new concrete steps to cure?
While repairing cracks in concrete block, you notice that the cracks are very wide and deep. How do you fill them?
with pure Portland cement
with a thin grout mixture
with a thick grout mixture
Can you paint both mortar-filled cracks and grout-filled cracks with exterior paint?
no, only grout-filled cracks
no, only mortar-filled cracks
How do you apply thin grout to patch a wide crack?
You pour the grout into a funnel connected to rubber tubing that's held in place with a board.
You paint it on with a brush, layer after layer.
You use a trowel to slap the grout into place.
There's a nasty pothole in your driveway and you're going to repair it. You've been advised to wear safety goggles for the job. Why?
to protect your eyes when you apply fresh cement
to protect your eyes against the reflective sun rays
to protect your eyes when you chisel out the old concrete
What is the manufacturer's recommendation regarding the right concrete for small or large holes?
gravel mix for small holes; sand mix for large ones
sand mix for small holes; gravel mix for large ones
gravel mix for all holes, regardless of their size
After applying fresh cement to fill a pothole, you smooth it with a wood cement float. How long do you do this for?
till the surface is filmed with water again
till no water remains on the surface
till the cement is dry
You cover the fresh cement with a plastic dropcloth, but the wind is starting to pick up. What can you do to avoid blowing?
Tape down the dropcloth with duct tape.
Put another dropcloth on top for added weight.
Weigh down the dropcloth at the edges.
How many times a day during the curing period should you spray the fresh concrete with water?