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For most masonry cleaning jobs, you should use a masonry sponge and a gentle cleaner like dish soap, vinegar, or a dedicated fireplace or masonry cleaner. Harsher bleach-based or ammonia cleaning agents should only be used if necessary and never mixed together.

Yes, you can do German schmear on stone. You can account for the more textured and rough surface of stone by using a large paintbrush instead of a putty knife. A brush allows you to drag mortar across the stone to get it into all the cracks and crevices. However, a brush will cover more of the surface, so you may need a wet sponge to scrub excess mortar and expose more of your stone.

Yes, bricks can crack over time. While spotting a crack (or several) might be nerve-wracking, cracked bricks aren’t always cause for concern. In fact, it’s normal to see a few small cracks as your foundation settles. However, if the cracks are getting wider or longer or you keep finding new ones, you should have a masonry professional inspect them right away. You should also contact a pro if you notice any large or vertical cracks in your bricks.

In certain cases, such as when dealing with surfaces like concrete rather than brick, grout can be used instead of mortar. Grout tends to be more convenient to work with on non-masonry surfaces. However, many experts suggest using mortar whenever possible, as it provides stronger adherence to the bricks and results in a more textured appearance.