old bricks and the never ending sealing debate

[Nemesis]

Yet others say not to do plastic repair. It's possibly a short term answer.

http://www.spab.org.uk/html/advice/technical-qas/technical-qa-2-brickwork/?PHPSESSID=cbd6c588652ad07266fc2c0418ca0e18



I will enquire further re Arup.

 

[Nemesis]

Well - I had a discussion with a friend who is a consultant at Arup, and I think that there aren't any simple answers to cover all eventualities was about our conclusion!

The Maintain document is probably more about possibilities than recommendations, and Maintain of course did not receive the expected funding from EH so is in something of a limbo and the very good work it intended to carry out, following the research and pilots, has been held somewhat in abeyance. Sad.

Plastic repair in that document seemed to be in general recommended for small areas and those where other things aren't feasible, and the author is a major expert on the subject and she is also a SPAB advisor.

In general all these things have to be taken building by building - and so generalising isn't totally helpful! Plastic repair and facing can be tried in small areas but always regard as experimental and possibly in the longer term sacrificial - a bit suck it and see with no guarantees.

Always of course try the least destructive option first, it might extend the life of the brick.

So no simple solution - but avoid anything which blanket coats bricks and mortar with a modern product.

Rose of Jericho will make up repair mortars and match them to the existing, but how long they will last and how good a match when it weathers is not possible to predict.