Spalling

[Ben]

We are the new owners of an 1890 end terrace.

At some point in the 80s, it appears to be been subjected to a DPC injection along one of the walls.

Now, about 12 of the bricks at this level are suffering from spalling.

The house doesn't have any damp issues inside, there are no leaky gutters or pipes, and the spalled bricks aren't all adjacent to each other. The bricks don't feel wet to the touch. No bricks above these are spalled.

As far as I can tell, the mortar is lime (or atleast is the same as the rest of the house).

I don't know if the act of drilling the holes for the DPC has slightly damaged the face of the bricks and caused small cracks that have let in rainwater that has run down? (It is a wall that gets next to no sunlight, so any water that does run down would not evaporate quickly.

What are my options?

Cutting out and replacing the bricks seems a bit extreme?

I've seen "storm dry masonry cream" which claims to stop any absorption of rain water, whilst maintaining the bricks breathability.

Also seen some brick face repair pastes which are lime based, so are also breathable.

Thanks

 

[Cubist]

Hello Ben and Welcome,

don't know if the act of drilling the holes for the DPC has slightly damaged the face of the bricks and caused small cracks

You're right I believe, the vibration and impacts from a hammer/sds drill will be responsible. Sorry but I can't help further as I've no relevant knowledge/experience of materials/methods to repair the face. Others, hopefully, will be along soon to offer solutions.

Cheers,
Cubist

 

[stuart45]

There are fillers like Stonelux, or if you can get them out carefully they might be reversible.

 

[a twig]

Never found a method of repairing brick faces that worked and looked good.

Usually ended up chopping out and replacing unless I was rendering over the top

 

[Lacan07]

You have a number of options. As you've already indicated Storm dry cream will provide protection but will probably have to be reapplied every few years. The ugly option is to apply a coat of lime mortar over the brick, its best to use a plasterers trowel for this I've found. The appropriate fix is to carefully remove the brick with a plugging chisel, clear out the old mortar, turn the brick around, and insert back into the wall with new lime mortar.

 

[malcolm]

It's something that could be ignored for some time - the spalling isn't too bad. Just ugly.

I would also pull the brick out and put it back in the other way around (using lime mortar). It's an easy DIY job - you don't need to support the wall when you remove just the one brick. I'm surprised the damp people left the holes unfilled. It's likely water running into the holes that has made the bricks wet and caused the spalling.

It's worth filling the holes so the other bricks with holes don't spall. I'm planning to try lime mixed with crushed brick as a filler for some visible holes. Haven't tried that yet and It'll probably end up a bit pink.

 

[Zebra]

That's not spalling. That's what happens when you drill the hole from the inside. It takes a chunk of brick with it as you burst through. (It's actually very difficult to avoid, even if you go super slow with the drill, so I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that the installers were negligent in that regard, I used to be a sparky and I've done it countless times.)

I would just fill it with lime mortar and live with it.

 

[Feltwell]

Cosmetically, it's nasty but structurally they're not really a problem.

Repair products - something like Stonelux can do a reasonable job where it's just a hole to fill, but not really for a larger repair to the face of a brick. I've got some, I had some irreplaceable "specials" (shaped bricks) to repair - it's quite gritty, it suits sand faced bricks better than the ones you've got.

Cutting out and replacing them is not as dramatic or diffiicult as you may think. Often you can get away with turning them round, unless someone has drilled a ruddy great hole right through them of course...... Salvage yards it is then!

DPC injections do so much damage.

 

[mardinor]

Recommended solution is to leave alone, consider as 'character' and a constant reminder why DPC injection is a bad idea. Like a regretted tattoo from a drunken night in Thailand...
Or if you must, patch up with lime putty mixed with brick dust. It won't be invisible, but won't be worse. Maybe try that on the worst one and see what you think? Easy to wash out straight away if it doesn't please the eye. You can also get coloured pigments to brush on, like make-up.