Mysterious constantly wet brick

martin2345uk

Okay so in our house there is a brick outside the back that is always wet. It has been so for a good couple of years. Sometimes it spreads ever so slightly to the bricks immediately surrounding it, more often than not it just shrinks back to the one brick.

It is immediately below the damp course layer; and on the inside of that wall is the kitchen (just a cupboard). The brick immediately below it is not wet.

I have had a plumber to look for leaks, a drainage survey outside to check for any issues, the last people to look were totally stumped and suggested the only way might be to get a builder to cut the brick out and see what is going on…

Can you remove a brick like that without the wall starting to collapse..?! Has anyone seen anything similar?

Here's the offending lil git…

And this is the other side of the wall, just the sink and a cupboard..

stuart45

There's no problem with removing one brick.

WIAWSNB

You just drill out the mortar surrounding it.

Do you have an SDS drill? You could also do it gently using a chisel bit, with rotary off.

Does the sink unit plinth come off easily? Worth shining a torch under there?

martin2345uk

Thank you guys.

I am pretty sure I have looked under the plinth, I will check again tonight, nothing to be seen as far as I remember!

I don't have any such drill, I think if I was going to remove a brick I would get someone to do it for me, just don't trust myself even though it may not exactly be moneysaving..!

Grumpy_chap

Have you tested the brick for moisture content?

Ectophile

If it's under the damp course, then it's probably under the floor too. So maybe a leaking pipe. Or maybe a place where water naturally pools behind the foundations.

Albermarle

Presume it is a cavity wall, so you do not see this actual brick from inside. Plus as said it might be under the floor.

martin2345uk

Hmm yes, so what would people's suggestions be on where to go next..?

martin2345uk

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81958094#Comment_81958094

Ummm no, how would one do this, is it an easy thing to do?

EssexExile

Is it causing a problem?

martin2345uk

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81958672#Comment_81958672

Not that I can see, but I am such a natural born worrier it's kinda impacting my mental health a wee bit!