DIY conundrum

[Screwdriver]

This is not super serious but may be an interesting little job to discuss. It is a job, it's for a neighbour I do a fair bit of work for. They just had a huge scaffolding setup removed and I just saw this:

Now I probably will just pull it out before deciding on anything. It looks ready to fall on the downstairs neighbour who I also work for and I don't want to lose a client!

I don't know if these bricks are easy to find, I haven't investigated that yet but obviously, the easiest thing to do is just literally glue it back. Two big problems with that. 1. is Unibond mortar glue (for example) really that strong and a permanent repair (given its exposed position and 2. There are clearly liability issues if the repair fails and falls off!

Incidentally, I am not averse to the idea of getting an actual professional in just because of #2. I would probably organise that on behalf of the landlord/owner, I'll know how risky the job is when I pull the broken bit off.

The handyman side of me though is already considering the idea of inserting a stainless steel reinforcing bolt, using specialist brick adhesive and mortaring it back in.

What would you do if it was your house? What would you do if it was your neighbour?

 

[MetalMonkey]

Bit of stixall on a dark night and deny all knowledge.

 

[Onoff]

Clear CT1.

 

[500e]

Drill 2 holes SS threaded bar and resin bond on joint and the rods, holes only need to be 6/8mm holes

 

[keithski122]

I had a broken slab in my garden, repaired it with the expanding gorilla glue.Ten years on it still fine so if it was me I'd try the same again.

 

[Seadog]

Araldite.

 

[dobbslc]

I'd say you could get a new /old one to replace it. Looks like a blue colour but not sure what to call it.

 

[dobbslc]

Blue Double Bullnose Brick 65mm (New Concessions)

Blue Semi-Glazed Double Bullnose Bricks (BN.2.2) Concessions Brick measurement: 215mm x 100mm x 65mm with a 50mm bullnose radius on both sides These new (concession) bricks have a high compressive strength, low water absorption and are highly frost resistant. Structurally, they are equivalent to...

watlingreclamation.co.uk

 

[roofman]

CT1...there till you die.

 

[dobbslc]

Does it work on ridge tiles then?

 

[roofman]

Does it work on ridge tiles then?

You bet

 

[Screwdriver]

Can't go back today, it's an all girl household so I always try to get my work done when they are out. But my recollection is these are unusually wide bricks. From memory at least 100mm, possibly 112 (like a regular brick). I have seen loads of 65mm ones but I'm not sure if they're the correct size.

Not sure if there's an overhang and if the break is unsupported, there's no way I'd use only glue. So I'd have to drill it out for reinforcing but it's on the second floor. So I have to either drill it off a ladder and somehow line up the holes or pull it out for a repair.

If I pull the whole thing out clearly the best bet is to have a replacement brick on hand...

I seem to be stuck in a loop. I think @MetalMonkey hit the nail on the head in the first response!...

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Stick a stainless sheet under it for support if unsupported. As for glue...think I'd go with resin fix and drill a couple matching(ish) holes either side and fill them then clamp.

 

[Tom O]

I’d pull it out, glue it then put it back in turned around.

 

[gaz1]

there called a double bull nose brick

 

[Robert Weaver]

If you try to drill a hole (hammer/SDS) in the broken part (to pin it), there's risk it'll crack and fall to several pieces, making the situation worse.

 

[dan treg]

If you try to drill a hole (hammer/SDS) in the broken part (to pin it), there's risk it'll crack and fall to several pieces, making the situation worse.

just what i was thinking very likely to break worse, ct1 as suggested above or ideally replace if you can find from say a reclaim yard

 

[Agroshield]

So I'd have to drill it out for reinforcing but it's on the second floor. So I have to either drill it off a ladder and somehow line up the holes

Pull off the broken part. Drill a hole though it using a non-destructive method (take it home and use your drill press with a multimaterial bit). Make the hole adequately larger than the studding you will glue in.

Take it back to the place and put back in position. Use a drillbit through the already-drilled hole to mark the position of the rest of the hole (or put masking tape on the broken face of the part still insitu and poke a pencil through the hole in the smaller part).

Check the studding passes through both parts nicely. Use clear epoxy sparingly on the broken faces (all you are doing is stopping water getting in, freezing and jacking the two parts apart again) and clamp them from above. Once the epoxy has set, use more epoxy to glue in a stainless stud.

 

[Other Daniel]

Can't go back today, it's an all girl household so I always try to get my work done when they are out.

 

[Barking Mat]

My thoughts exactly.