Spalling brick

I had spalling along the bottom of my house. The reason was that when the patio was laid by a couple with limited experience they laid the paving up to the wall, not allowing for drainage. The laying water in the winter moved into the bricks. When the temperature dropped, the water froze and the bricks peeled.

My solution was to cut a 9 inch gulley against the wall. I levelled the bricks with quick-setting mortar. Fortuately (?) my walls were painted white with Dulux Weathershield. The result was fine.

My friend Ray also had spalling on a victorian red-brick wall. He bought a range of coloured mortar mixes and painstakingly made up matching pastes to fill the bricks. I don't know how long it took him but the result was fabulous.

I hope that is usefull.

Alan

Are these modern Manchester Red clay bricks or older original ones?

If they are old soft ones, then re-pointing them with a modern cement based mortar can cause them to spall. Old soft bricks need he more permeable and softer lime mortar to help evaporate the water off. Under force (from freezing cycles etc) the mortar should give rather than the face of the brick.

Modern I think.

That could be the problem. There is a waterproof membrane covered with gravel behind the wall and the front is right up against the pavement.

The council might object to me cutting a gulley in their pavement.

Some thought required.

Yes, thanks.

I'd try and pick out the cause of the spalling if you can.

Is it happening on similar properties, and is it affected by aspect?

As mentioned, where the spalling is happening could be the biggest clue. Mine was caused by a leaking gutter - ripped the face off several properly hard bricks.

And evidence of damp inside, undue condensation etc?

And as others have said, non-porous mortar and ground level splashing.