Brick Repairs in Guildford | What is the Cause and the Impact of Spalled Bricks?
Spalled brickwork is more than a cosmetic issue. If you have noticed bricks flaking, cracking or breaking away from the property, it is a clear sign that brick repairs are needed. In Guildford, where bricks are exposed to rain, wind, ice and snow, this exposure combines with aged materials to cause spalling; a common issue not to be ignored.
Lime Mortar Repointing Ltd specialises in brick repairs in Guildford and across the surrounding areas. Our focus is on restoring strength and appearance in your brickwork using a proven, sympathetic method.
Learn more about spalling in our latest blog post.
What Does Spalled Brickwork Look Like?
Spalled bricks are easy to spot once you know what to look for. They make the surface of the brickwork break down and often leave a rough patch or a missing section. Even an untrained eye can identify large instances of spalling, but being able to locate a problem before the costs get too expensive is a job best left to our professional team.
If spalling occurs, you might notice:
- Flaking or peeling brickwork faces
- Cracks running across the surface
- Pieces of brick falling away
- Damp patches around affected areas
- White deposits (salts) on the surface
These signs usually appear on the external walls, on chimneys, or on the boundary walls where exposure to bad weather is at its highest. The sooner you book in for brick repairs in Guildford, the sooner it is that you can restore structural strength while the cost is lower.
What Causes Brick Spalling?
Spalling doesn’t happen overnight. It develops over time due to damp air and moisture entering into the brickwork, and then expanding.
The most common causes include:
- Water penetration from damaged mortar joints
- Freeze-thaw cycles during the colder months
- Higher salt content within the brickwork
- A lack of brickwork maintenance over time
- Low-quality or incompatible previous repairs
If water gets trapped inside brick and freezes, it expands. This can put pressure on the surface, causing it to crack or to break apart. Brickwork of a good quality has a lifespan in excess of 40 years and to avoid large-scale brick repairs in Guildford, it is advised that you book in to have property exteriors inspected every 1 to 2 years.
What is the Impact of Spalled Bricks?
Ignoring spalled brickwork can result in a bigger issue so it is not just about how your property looks but also about how it performs on a day-to-day basis. Left unchecked, impacts can worsen over time and what might need brick repairs now could need a replacement tomorrow.
The most common risks include:
- Increased dampness problems inside the home
- Structural weakening of the walls
- Higher repair costs if left untreated
- More heat loss due to compromised insulation
Many properties rely on traditional brickwork construction. Once the outer face of the brickwork fails, internal structures in Guildford become more vulnerable. A call to Lime Mortar Repointing Ltd puts a customer in the safest hands of our professional, hardworking team.
How are Brick Repairs in Guildford Undertaken?
Professional brick repairs in Guildford stay focused on fast removal of damaged materials, and preventing the issue from returning. Here at Lime Mortar Repointing Ltd, we always take careful, step-by-step approaches where we assess the extent of the damage. Not every brick will need repair or replacement, only those that have been affected.
Next, we remove the spalled bricks, without disturbing a surrounding structure, by using controlled techniques to stop further damage. We then install matching replacement bricks if needed. Colour, size and texture are all considered here to ensure a more consistent finish.
Finally, we re-point the area using lime mortar where appropriate so walls can breathe and are at less risk of future moisture build-up.
ACT NOW!
If you have noticed early signs of spalling, it is worth having your brickwork inspected sooner rather than later. Smaller brick repairs are faster, more cost-effective and far less disruptive. We honestly cannot emphasise the importance of acting sooner enough, and to have our team visit your property in Guildford for a faster assessment.
Are you seeing flakes or cracks forming on your brickwork? This can often be the first warning sign and an indicator of it spalling.
Brick repairs in Guildford, undertaken by experienced specialists to exacting standards, restore strength and appearance. They protect a property from further damage too. Lime Mortar Repointing Ltd offers a reliable, long-lasting solution that is tailored to your building.
We deal with spalled brickwork properly on every job completed.