New bricks cracking

Annie1960

I'm having an extension built, and they are now on the brickwork.

When I went out earlier today, I noticed a pile of broken bricks. I discussed this with the builder, and he seemed to think this was quite normal. I was surprised to learn that so many new bricks could break before they are used.

Does anyone have any experience of this? Is this normal? They are London bricks.

flashg67

Depends how they broke - were they delivered in a block/on a pallet? Clumsy handling by the delivery people could account for some of it?

Annie1960

they were on a pallet.

Furts

London bricks, as in those made by Hanson and labelled London Brick are a peculiar product. They were the cheapest, worst quality brick one could buy. Cracks, chips, and badly blended colours are normal. Indeed, the cynic in me wonders if some of the bricks put into the packs are not even of the type one orders.

My home was built with these bricks only a couple of years ago. The brick quality was abysmal and I called in the representative twice to view the dire quality. I received compensation, but I would have preferred bricks that matched and bricks that were not cracked through as many such bricks had already been built into the walls!