Can you replace broken bricks with already used brick of the same age?

Question

We have a wall that needs to be about 60% replaced. I know that we are going to need to buy more brick for that project, which makes the new problem ~ the new bricks aren't going to match the old (1860's) brick, so I was thinking that since the wall is in the back of the house we should take it all that way down & replace it 100% with new brick. I'd want to buy brick that matches the old brick as close as possiable & then use the old bricks that are still in good shape to replace the broken ones in the main part of the house, then have the intire exterior repointed.

BTW - I'm not sure if this matters but there are 3 rows/layers/walls (not sure what to call them) of brick around the whole house, anyone know why?

Answer 1

As the house is Victorian then the bricks will be Imperial size. Modern bricks are Metric which are smaller and will not merge-in with the existing brick., I would suggest that you try to obtain old Imperial brick from a salvage yard, dismantle the existing wall, and build a new wall with the old good bricks from the wall ,and the ones that you have purchased. In doing this you will have increased the value of your house, by not altering the appearance.
Put a little black cement dye into the mix to simulate old mortar .
Don't forget to use a DPC.......damp-proof-membrane
It is possible to reverse frost-damaged bricks as an economy measure.

Answer 2

Sounds like a plan. You can surely use old bricks to replace those on the other three sides.

You are right, the new bricks will not match the old. The years of patina give the brick the color and mottling of the aged. You may be surprised at the "close" match....as clay deposits play out, the brick colors have changed. Sometimes you can find used brick in salavage yards dating back to your home. Worth a look.

Apparently you don't have an historic preservation zone in your neighborhood telling you what you can and cannot do, lucky!

Answer 3

Congrats on trying to use the old brick. There are people who specialize in salvaging old brick and reselling it. It is a good idea to try to stay with a local company, as the bricks will probably match those made in your area.

When the tornado went through Greensburg KS, there were many people cleaning old brick from the destroyed buildings to resell.

Contact some local lumber yards, and they may know where you can get recyled brick.

Also, you can have the satisfaction of knowing you reused brick, and saved them from filling up another landfill.

Answer 4

yes