Spalling bricks on house

modelreject

Lucky I read this as I was about to over to Jennymount. If you see any other buildings of that era being taken down or any suitable bricks please post here. I will check back often. Going to check Irwin Avenue.

I will try and find the waterproof solution and chat to a builder or two. Thanks again!

BatCat

Hope they still had some left for you. The nicer bricks were being loaded away yesterday. Jennymount has a good collection.

modelreject

@Honkycat Do you know where Jennymount has moved to?

Honkycat

Sorry I don't. It was my pointer who told me that (he gets a lot of bricks from them). There's also Wilson's Reclamation on the Dublin Rd at about Dromore, but I think they're quite expensive, although if it's only a few bricks...). This house demolition that's been mentioned sounds like a good idea.
Good luck.

A.L.D.A

If it is a few dozen bricks take out, replace and repoint. Don't overdo the mortar strength. If virtually all the bricks are spalling, and crumbling, you would be better accepting the inevitable and render.

As Golden Anemoone points out most spalling is due to frost action on damp bricks. I would be very careful about applying any sealer. If you decide to coat make sure you use a penetrating breathable sealer, not a waterproof coating which could trap moisture in.

It could also be a bad batch of bricks or it may be bricks along exposed corners or below the damp proof course.

If they are at the bottom of the wall make sure there is good drainage away from the walls along paths and/or add a rendered band. Also check for other reasons that may be making the bricks abnormally damp, cracked window sills, faults at roof level, mortar deteriorating, gutters and downpipes.

If it is the typical Belfast red smooth brick Butterly Avon is fairly close to the original colour, but lacks the grime, and can be ordered in the old imperial size. If you can't get old I would check if there are new bricks that are close. Some bricks are not consistent in colour and are easier to match. Hard to say without seeing, texture may even be an issue.

Did not know that Jennymount had moved. Phone round the Architectural salvage yards. I quite like O'Kanes near Castlerock 07947 367 735. There is one on the Moira Road at Aldergrove, not sure if they sell bricks. 94470039. I did notice pallets of old bricks in Bates skips yard, just above the Horse Shoe bend on the Crumlin Road. (90111111 I think). You would need to check the quality as many may be knocked about or be from internal walls.

modelreject

Thanks ALDA and everyone!

Regarding the sealer would applying a waterproof sealer in the summer after a few hot days be okay as the moisture would be removed from the bricks?

The spalling bricks are below the DPC and on the corner of the house up to head height on front and side.

A.L.D.A

modelreject wrote: »

Thanks ALDA and everyone!

Regarding the sealer would applying a waterproof sealer in the summer after a few hot days be okay as the moisture would be removed from the bricks?

The spalling bricks are below the DPC and on the corner of the house up to head height on front and side.

Make very sure the waterproofer does not completely seal. It must allow the wall to breath!!!!! I have seen sealers make the problem worse. The damp can also be condensation from the inside. Water will condensate when the dew point is reached. The the wall cools as you proceed from the inside to the outside and you can have condensation in the wall.

The weathering on the corners could be the wind, and / or just cold outside corners that will freeze. (Two external surfaces at the corner) It is also the the sort of place where you have higher risk of condensation.

Without having seen the house, you could try a rendered plinth and rendered quoins on the corners? May not suit your house but just a thought!

Mistral001

modelreject wrote: »

Thanks ALDA and everyone!

Regarding the sealer would applying a waterproof sealer in the summer after a few hot days be okay as the moisture would be removed from the bricks?

The spalling bricks are below the DPC and on the corner of the house up to head height on front and side.

As others have said, a remedy which lets the wall breath is perhaps the best solution. However below the DPC a remedy to the wall which allows the wall to breath could be essential.

The spalling below the DPC is most likely frost damage where frost resistant bricks have not been used. Many houses have frost resistant bricks specified for that part of the wall which is below the DPC but sometimes builders use the cheaper non-frost resistant bricks there. The wall below the DPC gets saturated from damp coming up from the ground. This is normal and that is why there is a DPC as it stops the rising moisture preventing it from getting into the house. However when the saturated bricks are not frost resistant they can spall due to water in the bricks freezing. Sealing the wall below the DPC will probably do more harm than good in that case.