Efflorescence on spalling bricks during frost

[C0mbat]

Hi all,

The front door area of my house has a few areas of spalling brick that also needs repointing. During frost white efflorescence appears on the brick due to what seems (from googling ) to be some kind of moisture issue. See the photos of the three main areas effected.

Question - Would it be enough to just repoint the cement or should I replace the bricks to? Furthermore, could the spalling and efflorescence be a symptom of a bigger issue or is the more likely root cause the fact that the pointing has degraded causing water to get in behind the brick?

My next door neighbour is a retired brick layer and I asked him and he said I should just get some brick sealant to spray on it so I did. But I can't help but think that's not going to stop the continuation of spalling. I've lived in the house for two winters and over each winter I get more of the brick falling away.

I don't mind replacing the bricks if I'm going to be able to find a colour match for it. I'm assuming that I could pay my next door neighbour to do it

 

[ree]

OP,
Perhaps, leave the bricks alone dont replace them
You can use any one of various brick cleaners for the efflorescence - utube probably has examples?
After the required time, wash clean & allow to dry.
Then use any one of various brick sealers.

The failed shallow, cement pointing seems to be the cause of your troubles.
Your new pointing should be raked out to 25mm depth.
A mix of 3:1 sand & NH lime mortar with a flush pointing finish should be used.

 

[JohnD]

Do you know where the water is coming from?

That's the first thing you need to repair.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

Photos less zoomed in would be useful. If it's a bay window then sometimes the sill can tip water down the adjacent wall, off its edge.

 

[C0mbat]

OP,
Perhaps, leave the bricks alone dont replace them
You can use any one of various brick cleaners for the efflorescence - utube probably has examples?
After the required time, wash clean & allow to dry.
Then use any one of various brick sealers.

The failed shallow, cement pointing seems to be the cause of your troubles.
Your new pointing should be raked out to 25mm depth.
A mix of 3:1 sand & NH lime mortar with a flush pointing finish should be used.

@ree @JohnD @Ivor Windybottom

Thanks for your responses. There is no obvious place that the water would be coming from apart from the failed pointing. There are no window sills above and as far as I'm aware there are no water pipes behind those bricks. So my guess would be the failing pointing. I'll repair that ASAP and see if that helps. Hopefully the seal that I put on the brick also helps.

 

[JohnD]

Stand back and take some wider pics please. All the way up to the roof and gutter, and all the way down to the ground or paving. Include bay roofs, downpipes, drains and plumbing. Also the inside face of the wet wall.

 

[ree]

Posters #4, and #6,
Hopefully, you will agree that the OP has explained things very well - including references to bay window sills, & plumbing.