How to Know if Bricks Need to Be Replaced
If you’re inspecting damaged or cracked UK bricks, it’s important to be able to tell whether the damage will worsen if the correct steps aren’t taken.
Despite being infinitely recyclable, some damaged brickwork needs to be treated and repaired to be reused, whereas others will need to be replaced entirely. At the same time, some may only have sustained cosmetic damage which doesn’t impact structural integrity. This guide explains all you need to know about spotting signs of damaged facing bricks.
Signs that Your Bricks May Need to Be Repaired or Replaced
Can You Turn the Brick Around?
If the clay brick has a worn or damaged exterior, it may be possible to remove the brick and turn it around, thus preserving the brick without the need to replace it. This is a valuable trick for the preservation of historic buildings as it ensures the same bricks are used throughout the structure, maintaining the originality of the external brickwork that may be integral to its charm.
Is the Break Damaged Beyond Repair?
If the clay brick has a worn or damaged exterior, it may be possible to remove the brick and turn it around, thus preserving the brick without the need to replace it. This is a valuable trick for the preservation of historic buildings as it ensures the same bricks are used throughout the structure, maintaining the originality of the external brickwork that may be integral to its charm.
Is the Structure Unstable?
If the structure itself is showing signs of instability, such as leaning or bowing, it may be a good idea to replace the wall or the affected area entirely. Whilst replacing an entire exterior brick wall may sound like a gruelling task, it’s much better than risking further damage to currently unaffected areas, or potentially even the entire structure.
Is There Efflorescence on the Surface?
You may be unfamiliar with what this means. Efflorescence refers to white deposits upon the surface of brickwork that results from dissolved salts rising out of the brick.
Thankfully, efflorescence itself rarely damages the brick, however, it’s unsightly. Furthermore, if the efflorescence is a result of how the brickwork has been assembled, then it may be best to consult a UK brick supplier to match an unspoiled brick and find a replacement.
Inadequately Cleaned Surface?
Brickwork may require some cleaning from time to time; it’s a good idea to keep brickwork clean and presentable but not all cleaning methods are appropriate.
Aggressive cleaning methods may have harmed the brick texture through abrasion, whilst excessive exposure to water can cause and speed up the building of efflorescence on the brick.
Finding the Cause of the Damage
Masonry damage can have many different causes. Knowing what could have happened to your UK clay facing bricks will play an important role in understanding what to do next.
It’s crucial that you take steps to fix any underlying problems first, otherwise, the damage that occurred this time may occur again after you replace or repair the brickwork.
How Long Does Brick and Mortar Last?
While brick and stone structures last for hundreds of years, this all depends on how well they’re treated. Proper maintenance is important, and all structures require maintenance and care at some point, however minimal.
Properly-installed mortar joints should last an incredibly long time, depending on weather conditions. In the UK, mortar joints shouldn’t need repairing all too often, but it’s still important to inspect them properly and make repairs where necessary.
Looking for Early Warnings Signs
The best way to prevent damage from occurring is to look for the early warning signs; if you catch problems early on they should be relatively easy and inexpensive to fix.
The most common warning signs can include cracks in the mortar, crumbling mortar or water damage. The key is to fix damages in the mortar before they spread into the brickwork, because mortar will almost always sustain damage before the brickwork itself, and can be used as a signifier that something is wrong.