Your home/property’s brickwork is the first impression you give to people when they see it. And you may think it is obvious to spot any problems or issues to do with the bricks, However, you may fail to realise when it’s time to get the bricks repointed or replaced. This could be due to the brickwork having fundamental problems rather than surface level.
The truth is brickwork isn’t always as solid and durable as it looks. You could face serious issues if it has not been done correctly, and must be amended as soon as you notice deterioration, below are some signs that your brickwork needs repointing or replacing
Damaged bricks
If your brickwork Is damaged, The appearance might not be the only consequence, it could be letting more moisture penetrate your home, or even affecting the wall’s structural integrity.
Sometimes, over time the brickwork naturally adapts to damage, especially if it includes lime mortar, However seriously damaged bricks may need to be cut out and replaced, ideally with bricks that match the remaining but undamaged pieces in appearance.
Failed or unsuitable pointing
The brickwork may have been pointed in a way that has unintentionally damaged the wall, this could be the case if for example., if modern cement mortar has been used instead of traditional lime mortar.
The more modern mortar can trap moisture and so prevent it from escaping through mortar joints, This, in turn, would force the moisture to appear on the brick faces, where it can freeze and then could lead to brick surfaces crumbling.
Efflorescence
There is a chance you have never heard this word before, but it refers to white deposits that form and appear on the brickwork due to water including dissolved salts rising to the surface.
One slight relief with efflorescence is that it does not usually damage the brickwork from a practical point of view. However, it is unpleasant to look at, if the way the brickwork has been assembled is causing the efflorescence then replacing the brickwork may be the best solution.
An inappropriately cleaned surface
It is not a bad idea to clean brickwork occasionally, however, you should ensure that you stick to the right method of cleaning as otherwise you inadvertently damage the brickwork
An aggressive cleaning method could remove the brick’s protective fired surface. Chemical cleaning can be considered however this can leave stains. If you want to use water you need to keep in mind efflorescence. Always test out the cleaning method before you go ahead and start cleaning the whole exterior of your home.
Damp
If you have noticed signs of dampness in your home. It could be due to rising dampness, which decaying timber flooring or crumbling plaster can indicate, It may be penetrating damp, which can occur if water shifts from a high part of your home to another part further down.
A common cause of penetrating damp is poor pointing to the brickwork. As in the industry, it Is common that, it has been the pointing that has led to the water leak to into the wall.
If you have noticed any of these signs, contact us today so we can repoint and restore your home, as we are the best restoration service in London, get your free no-obligation quote today!
