Perished and Spalling
External Brick Walls.
Perished and Spalling Brick Walls
In our role as building surveyors, we assist homeowners and property developers to identify perished and spalling brickwork across all types of masonry-built properties.
Building defects such as perished and spalling brickwork is commonly found by our surveyors on a daily basis. It is possible that this phenomenon is associated with another issue, either one that caused or exasperated the issue. There are many things that can cause the masonry on a building to deteriorate and to crumble away over time. It might even be something as simple as using materials that are unsuitable for the building. We as surveyors are on hand to provide the correct advice where corrective measures can then be set out. Perished brickwork can be very unsightly but it can be repaired, even if it appears to be in a very poor condition.
You can contact our surveyors with any questions or concerns you may have regarding perished brickwork and building defects because of the perished masonry.
Cement-based Mortar Leading to Perished Brickwork
It is common for perished brickwork to occur with cement-based mortars and renders. The cement pointing around a brick can trap moisture, and when freezing temperatures expand the liquid, the brick’s fair face can break away. Further deterioration can result from this. Moisture can become trapped behind cement render can also accelerate erosion and cause dampness. Our surveyors once having inspected the property and noting cement render would potentially advise lime mortars, renders, and plasters because they are air permeable, this allows moisture to escape the walls.
Don’t let this problem worsen as long-term damage will compromise the structure of the building.
Spalling Brickwork
Brickwork that cracks or breaks below the surface is described as spalling brickwork. You may have a water penetration problem if you see flaking, cracking, peeling, crumbling, or chipping of stone or brick in the external walls of a building. Spalling typically occurs when rainwater penetrates bricks, freezes and expands any gaps or holes, and then melts again, resulting in damaged brickwork.
In spite of the fact that spalling bricks can sometimes be a cosmetic issue, if left unaddressed, this problem may lead to more serious structural issues. There is a possibility that you will have to spend a lot of money on structural repair work. It is more common to find spalled and cracked bricks in older properties, as well as properties with cement pointed walls. In the colder months of the year, it is easier to notice cracks in mortar when any water within the walls freezes and expands. The defect can become more serious if combined with damaged gutters and poorly fitted window frames, door frames and the position of walls if they are susceptible to long-term wetting. It is recommended to remove all painted spalling brickwork and replace it with a lime wash or mineral paint to prevent future problems.
How To Fix Perished Brickwork
Replacement of damaged bricks is often the best course of action when dealing with perished brickwork, but this is not always easy. The cost of replacing and repairing perished brickwork can be too high when it is damaged by frost. In this case, it is also necessary to apply a wall covering.
The aesthetics of the building will be greatly improved and further damage will be prevented. Perished brickwork may be repaired with lime render, but it is almost impossible to remove the render once it is applied, without causing further damage. The use of cement render can cause significant damage as mentioned above. The damp-proof clear coating may be an option if the bricks are in good condition and you want to maintain the brick appearance on the exterior. However, this practice should be avoided since it can cause moisture to become trapped and damage the walls further.
Our team of surveyors are ready to assist you if you are not sure what the best solution is. If you would like advice and guidance about the options available to you, we would be glad to assist.
