Calling The Builder

[maggiebee]

......or anyone else who can help. Some of the bricks at the base of my house are suffering from what I believe is called "spalling" ie crumbling. Is there any way I can have these bricks replaced (without the house falling down). House was built in the late 1950s.

[The Builder]

Hi Maggie...

There's been a lot of frost damage after the winter. Easy to replace them though. The trick is to find reclaimed bricks of the same type.

Once you've found some...
cut into the mortar joint around each brick with an angle grinder (disc cutter). An electric drill will do it, but take a little longer.

You'll most likely have cavity walls which makes it easier. Several bricks can be taken out in one patch, without the house falling down.
The inner leaf (of cavity wall) carries the floors and the roof. The outer is usually just for weather protection and appearance.

[maggiebee]

Thanks for that Builder, will now go on the hunt for reclaimed bricks.