Deteriorating brickwork

cement re-pointing

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Cement mortar causing problems

A problem that we are coming across more and more frequently is deteriorating or spalling to the face of bricks. We commonly find this to be to the softer red brick, often found on Georgian and Victorian properties, and predominately pre-First World War properties. The deterioration of the brickwork can look terrible and unfortunately the problem has often compounded by the brickwork that has spalled or deteriorated being repaired with a cement mortar. This then gives, what we can only describe as, “a spotted dog” look to the property, with the red bricks having lots of cement repairs to the brick.

Lime mortar to cement mortar, the revolution

Cement mortar was introduced in the late 1940's (we believe it was 1949). This mortar has completely different properties to lime mortar, being much larger and more brittle. Whilst it works well on modern construction it doesn't work well on older properties, which are meant to breathe. We always say that a modern property works more like a cagoul, i.e. as a raincoat on the outside, whereas an older property works much more like goretex, which breathes.

What is going wrong? Why are the bricks deteriorating?

Originally, the bricks would have been built in a lime mortar, usually in what is known as Flemish brick bond or garden wall bond. When it rains the rain gets partly soaked in by the wall and the lime mortar. Then it dissipates and is released from the brickwork and lime mortar. Over the years this can, in some cases, lead to a weathering or wearing of the mortar, which can then give ledges for the rainwater to sit on and cause dampness to come through into the property.

Deteriorating red brickwork; note the cement repairs to the right hand side, which are only going to make things worse

Repairs to lime mortar pointing

Unfortunately, the repointing that has taken place in many lime mortar walls, and in fact we would go as far as to say the majority of what we see, are in a cement mortar, rather than the original lime mortar. This means that the cement mortar, due to its different constituencies, acts as a plug and stops any rainwater or dampness coming out of the wall. This then leads to the dampness coming out on the surface of the brick, which in turn causes it to spall or deteriorate, as can be seen in the adjoining photo.

The spalling face of the red brickwork caused by the cement pointing

You may be interested in our other articles about issues with walls including cracking to walls:

Structural Cracking

How, in our experience, Insurance Companies deal with Cracks in Properties

Cracks in my Wall

Wall Tie Problems

Cavity Wall Problems

Repairing Cracks

Structural Reports

Estimating Building Costs

Cracking to my plaster

My property has been repointed in a cement mortar, what can I do?

Please see our section on:

Information on Engineers Reports

Specific Defects Reports

Dampness Articles

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If you have a commercial property, be it leasehold or freehold, then you may wish to look at our Dilapidations Website at www.DilapsHelp.com and for Disputes go to our Disputes Help site www.DisputesHelp.com .

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