What causes spalling
Bricks have a hard fired outer skin. When water gets in and freezes, it expands and can push the face off. Salt crystallising in the brick has a similar effect. Once the skin is lost, the softer inside absorbs more water and breaks down faster. Typical causes include hard cement pointing that traps water in the brick, leaking gutters, blocked downpipes, rising damp and old repairs with unsuitable bricks.
Where we see it
Victorian and Edwardian brickwork across Newcastle and Tynemouth suffers when exposed to weather. Chimney stacks, parapets, garden walls and the lower courses near ground level are the usual places. Coastal salt and wind-driven rain on exposed elevations add to the problem.
Replacing the bricks
- Identify and cure the cause of moisture, such as leaking rainwater goods
- Carefully cut out damaged bricks without disturbing neighbours
- Select replacement bricks that match in size, colour, texture and strength
- Bed new bricks in mortar that is no stronger than the surrounding brickwork
- Match the bond pattern and joint profile
- Repoint around the repair
Matching matters
Reclaimed bricks often provide the best match for Victorian work, though new handmade or specially selected bricks can be used. A replacement that is much harder than the original attracts water into the old bricks around it, so strength and porosity should be similar. Mortar should be compatible: lime for older buildings, see lime repointing.
Turn the brick or replace?
In some cases, bricks with only the face damaged can be turned around so the sound back faces outward, but this works only where the brick is deep enough and structurally sound. We can advise on a case-by-case basis. Where large areas are affected, see Victorian brickwork restoration or brickwork rebuilding.
Like-for-like repairs generally do not need planning permission, though conservation areas and listed buildings have extra rules. See the Planning Portal.
Frequently asked questions
Will spalled bricks get worse if I ignore them?
Usually yes. Once the hard outer face is lost, the softer interior absorbs more water and erodes faster, and more bricks can be affected.
Can new bricks match old ones?
Often closely, particularly with reclaimed bricks. Perfect matches are not always possible, so we look for the best match in colour, size and texture.
