Neighbours builder damaged wall.. Big deal or let it go?

[Mr Sparkle]

There's a brick wall which separates our neighbours side from my side to enter our respective properties.

Neighbours builder decided to bash their metal mixing paddle on the top of the wall and they've damaged the top of the soldier brick.

Besides the damage the wall is in great condition ie little to no impact damage

What I want to know is whether you would flag this up with the builder with a view to repairing it.. Or is this generally seen as not a big deal and asking for a repair is laughable?

I know that this is subjective but just want to get a general consensus.

 

[Mottie]

I’d want it put right. Have a word with your neighbour and get them to take it up with their builder.

 

[Scally-Ho]

Hmmmm ... repair? From that builder's performance so far, a repair might be worse that what you have now.

 

[accelerator]

Depends how much it bothers you, but it would not be unreasonable to ask for it to be repaired.

Or find the missing bits and superglue them back on yourself?

 

[^woody^]

Put a spoonful of yogurt on it and then it will match the rest of the bricks in a few weeks, you wont even know the builder was even there.

Unless your preference is for a nice new shiny brick and new clean mortar?

 

[yorksbuilder]

What an idiot. Flag it up, not to repair, but to politely but firmly ask for them not to touch the wall again or break any part of your property again.

 

[Mr Sparkle]

I’d want it put right. Have a word with your neighbour and get them to take it up with their builder.

Thanks.

find the missing bits and superglue them back on yourself?

Unfortunately, too many bits have broken off/gone missing to attach it back.

Unless your preference is for a nice new shiny brick and new clean mortar?

That was my only concern.. The builder just sticking any brick in there that isn't a close match and new mortar sticking out like a sore thumb..

But then again the impact damage looks terrible and the now damaged brick more prone to further damage/crumbling.

Can't mortar be coloured to give it a more weatherd appearance to try resemble the exisiting?

What an idiot. Flag it up, not to repair, but to politely but firmly ask for them not to touch the wall again or break any part of your property again.

Out of curiosity why wouldn't you want the repair?

In person, the damage is very noticible and something you have to walk by each day?

 

[avonmouth]

I think it depends on who owns the wall and if shared who's half is damaged?

 

[Tetrarch]

Depends how much it bothers you, but it would not be unreasonable to ask for it to be repaired.

Or find the missing bits and superglue them back on yourself?

Sorry to hijack the thread, but is this really possible?

I've just blown the corner off a couple of fence posts trying to drill into them (eejit). I can get the pieces back on fairly invisibly, but can I really use superglue????

Regards

Tet

PS - To the OP - Is it possible to make some brickdust filler to disguise the missing bits?

 

[aveatry]

As others have said - the builders are likely to replace with a brand new unmatching brick with totally different colour mortar. I have done similar repair and used a product called milliput epoxy putty there are different colours to mix together I mixed one with matching brick dust then added the same brick texture.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

The only reason it's so visible is because it's new damage. I can see other smaller corners missing from other bricks, but they're old damage so have got dirty and blend in. Just do nothing, it will eventually blend in.

If you ask them to replace it then you'll get a new stark bright brick that looks far worse. Plus the mortar will all be new. And, given their attitude, the workmanship will be terrible.

It looks like the missing piece is broken into several pieces, suggesting that this damage is from repeated intentional impacts. So you won't have a big chunk you could glue back - even the best repair will look worse rather than better.

But, as suggested above, definitely tell them to stop being so bloody stupid and to treat their neighour's wall with respect.

 

[aveatry]

I have a product called liquid weather in a spray bottle that turns new brick and mortar into old looking. Its like a stain sort of soot dissolved into water. It works really well and I put it on sparingly.
Not sure how long it lasts but maybe long enough for me to stop fussing over the new area any more o long enough for it to naturally tone down.

 

[yorksbuilder]

Out of curiosity why wouldn't you want the repair?

Just because as mentioned there are other bricks in the wall with corners chipped and it will soon weather in and match. And worse damage/mismatch may take place if you replace the brick with a new one, especially if they get the same 'builder' who chipped it to do the replacement

 

[accelerator]

I've just blown the corner off a couple of fence posts trying to drill into them (eejit). I can get the pieces back on fairly invisibly, but can I really use superglue????

Yes, why wouldn't you be able to? Superglue is a strong bonding product, just be careful not to stick your fingers together! The only issue is you have only up to 45 seconds before it bonds fully:

Gorilla Super Glue Brush & Nozzle | Gorilla Glue UK

Gorilla Super Glue Brush & Nozzle features a precision tip nozzle & fine bristle brush for increased control. Perfect for any repair or craft project.

uk.gorillaglue.com

Otherwise a wood glue would work, but you would need to clamp the bits together and it would take longer to dry (20 mins):

Gorilla Wood Glue | Water Resistant Formula For Indoor & Outdoor

Gorilla Wood Glue is the hard-working, water resistant formula, that creates a strong, fast bond across a variety of wood surfaces.

uk.gorillaglue.com

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

I think epoxy glue is the normal method. It can turn yellow in the sun though, so avoid it on very light coloured bricks. The yellowing may be a good thing in most cases.