Mortar is less durable than brick and can be maintained by re-pointing.
Weep holes, small holes at the bottom of brickwork that allow moisture to drain out of the building or wall, need to be kept clean.
When drilling masonry make sure you keep the drill bit cool. You can do this by withdrawing the tip every 4-6 seconds or by spraying water into the hole. If the drill bit gets hot it can cause damage.