The truth is, with little more time and effort than patching jeans or fixing a dry-wall dent, a chipped brick can be restored to its former glory.
Repairing a Small Chip
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Spread newspaper over a small working area. Grind the faces of the bricks against each other so that a fine brick dust falls on the newspaper.
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Place a small amount of mortar (enough to fill the chip) in a bowl.
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Add brick dust to the mortar. Mix until the mixture has a stiff consistency and is the same color as the brick.
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Use a small, stiff brush to make sure the chipped area is free of dust or debris.
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Apply mortar to the chipped area with a spoon, butter knife or brick trowel. Work the mixture in firmly until the chipped area is filled with the mortar mixture.
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Allow mortar to begin to set. Before it hardens, rub the area with one of the bricks you used for making the dust. Use a circular motion if you are working on the flat part of a wall. If the chipped brick is on a corner, work away from the corner (on each side) in a straight line creating a new corner in the brick.
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After the repair looks like the rest of the brick, allow it to set overnight.
Replacing a Large Chip
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Brush both the brick and the chip with a stiff brush to ensure they are free of dust or debris.
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Apply clear construction adhesive to the chip.
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Press the chip firmly into the gap on the brick and hold it in place for a few minutes. Hold it place with a clamp or brace with a piece of wood if necessary.