Bricks are one of the most durable of building materials, but they require periodic maintenance and regular inspection. It is wise to check in early spring for winter damage. A frequent problem is ...

The reasons St. Louis became a brick city are manifold: clay deposits in the earth, innovative brickmakers here in town, European immigrants who knew how to stack and scrape the blocks into elegance.

Dear James: The mortar between the wall bricks is crumbling in spots and looks bad. How can I repair it so that it does not look much different from the existing mortar joints? — Nick R. Dear Nick: It ...