Check my web site to see what I did with broken brick. Go all the way to the bottom of the page under my introduction and click on updating photos. It will be about the 3rd pic over in that section. You will see all the paths I did around my pond with all the broken bricks. I had all of these left over from the families old homeplace. It was the chimneys bricks. lol Anyway I had to dig them out of the soil where they were piled many many years ago and then had to knock off the old cement they were put together with. So I wound up breaking some of them and this is what I used the rest for. I made the walkway out of the others that were whole and I actually like the brokens ones the best believe it or not. Just keep clicking on more of the process until you get to about the 3rd page over in the updating photos and you will see all the paths. Here is a link that might be useful: Ponding site

Tuesday, you are so awesome to help me! So, based on the idea that it's the color of my brick that is the problem, I looked up images online of dark mortar, and when I was out driving, looked for homes. I could find pretty much NO pics/IRL homes with dark mortar. Would you say that, esp. since yours is outdoor, it WILL fade, whereas mine being indoors (in a dark room), will just stay as-is? Anyway, I have yet to see a pic of dark mortar that I like. The room is narrow, so I think the enormity of the FP combined with the unattractive B/M is a problem. I am not sure what my options are, though, given that I want to maintain it as a working FP and that my budget is teeny! (Many DIY projects are done w/non-working FPs). I am thinking drywall or stucco would be the best options. Dunno.

Weep holes are seldom done in residential construction in my experience. I have never seen a code requiring them(could be though). While they are recommended in commercial construction, they are part of a drainage system of through wall flashing & often a mortar baffle that helps keep the weep holes clear of mortar. The flashing intercepts any water & directs it to the weeps. I would not add weep holes to a wall not designed for them. I doubt if they would work & would more likely cause trouble or damage. If their are no water issues at this point their most likely won't be.

I have no idea how you'd fine actual used brick in decent quantities but you can do okay with new brick...we were able to find an acceptable match for our '50s "used" brick from McNear. They aren't quite local to you like they are me, but you can probably find a local retailer.Y ou might need to mix a few colors. I wouldn't go with actual used brick unless you found a perfect match.