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Author Topic: Discoloured external brickwork  (Read 4213 times)

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paulhorsley

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Discoloured external brickwork
« on: February 12, 2021, 08:22:13 pm »
I was wondering if I can have some advice please. 
I'm in the middle of purchasing a new build house which is still under construction.  The house has completed the external brickwork stage of construction a few weeks ago.  Looking from outside, there is still significant discolouration of the brickwork which looks really unsightly.

Question: Do you think this discolouration will fade and disappear over time?  It almost looks like the dark patches of the external brickwork is still 'wet' and with time, it will dry up to the normal lighter colour that you can see elsewhere.  What do you all think?

Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts on this! 


Maxell

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Re: Discoloured external brickwork
« Reply #1 on: February 14, 2021, 05:07:47 pm »
Hi there are lots of posts on here, one just below "poor brickwork".

Tim Fee Snagging Inspector

paulhorsley

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Re: Discoloured external brickwork
« Reply #2 on: February 14, 2021, 05:31:00 pm »
Hi Maxell, thanks for the reply. Yes I saw that post but it didn't really give me the answer I’m looking for.

Essentially, I’m looking for reassurance that this discolouration in external brickwork is normal and to be expected at this stage of construction (or otherwise). Looking at other new build properties similar to mine that has completed, they all look ok so I’m hoping that this is normal at this stage of construction.
Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Paul

Maxell

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Re: Discoloured external brickwork
« Reply #3 on: February 15, 2021, 07:12:05 pm »
Each pallet of bricks is a slightly different colour,  sometimes the difference is hardly noticeable other times like yours It's like night and day. The light bricks can be tinted darker but it is large area . In time the bricks weather down but how much and over how many years?

I would raise the issue now but if it offends you be prepared to walk away.

Maxell

paulhorsley

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Re: Discoloured external brickwork
« Reply #4 on: February 16, 2021, 08:16:28 pm »
Thank you Maxell, really appreciate your help.  I managed to speak with some of the builders on site with one in particular who felt that it was simply down to the brickwork still being wet and that it will dry up with time, especially over the summer.  I'd like to believe that this is the case and would welcome any views on this.  I have also followed your advice and raised this issue with the developer.

Paul

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Re: Discoloured external brickwork
« Reply #5 on: February 17, 2021, 04:38:53 pm »
Given the pattern it is quite unlikely to be banding caused by not mixing different batches of bricks.
It does appear to be that the dark bricks are just wet and time will tell.
The banding may also be where a cavity tray stops the wetting going lower hence the horizontal stopping.
On the left it looks likely it got wet before the downpipes were connected.

In the next period of dry frosty weather I expect the dark areas will turn white as the salts in the bricks are drawn to the surface.
This will confirm the bricks were just wet.

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Primus

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Re: Discoloured external brickwork
« Reply #6 on: March 01, 2021, 08:11:50 pm »
Agreed it looks more like dampness that will dry out when complete, however if it's like that at handover, make sure your formally raise it as a suspected defect. That way if it does not alter you have a route back to builder. If after say 6 months or a summer season there's no change I would re-raise and get them to sort it out, by which brick tinting will be the best solution and it will look uniform over the area  ;)


Maxell

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Re: Discoloured external brickwork
« Reply #7 on: March 02, 2021, 09:53:25 pm »
To me the darker bricks look in defined areas. A thermal photo even with a cheap unit would tell.
The weather lately has been very good in the South, you have some pictures so if it just moisture you may see an improvement.

Regards Maxell