Crumbling Bricks

[ROBERT V. YOUNG]

Originally Posted by David X. Johnson

I understood this was a common problem up north. Brick chimneys were the main problem. As I heard it explained, bricks on the main house structure normally kept from freezing by the warm room somewhere behind the brick (even if behind insulation and wall structure). However, bricks in the chimney, especially the upper, fully exposed portion of the chimney, are GOING to reach freezing temperature throughout during cold weather. So if any water has entered the brick, which is typically going to happen at some point in the brick's age, it then freezes and the brick spalls.

Knew of people removing chimneys and replacing chimney exterior with siding to avoid this. Other options were attempting to waterproof the exterior of the bricks, insuring a good, wide rain cap, and crossing your fingers. Even on 20 year new brick, it was pretty common.

You are pointing out a mith.
A brick with solid reputation will last 100 years.
Maintenance is the issue with all systems in a residential building Mr.Johnson.
Most brick problems are from masonry bedding degrading leaving a bricks exposure open to weather.
There are many brick types and all do not work with every type of finish jointing.
Concave, convex, struck, weather, flush, raker, etc.
Each finish or jointing is particular to the brick being applied.
You have southern brick styles and brick that are bylawed in the province of Quebec where I live and learned about the trade.
It was done again in the early 1980's to prevent the mixing of materials. They had adverse affects in Quebec along with a host of other product.

The maintenance for this is called tuck-pointing or brick pointing.
The first 32second of an inch is the water proof side of a clay brick.
If weather is absorbed by the masonry unit and many freeze cycle occur before proper maintenance you will have spalling and masonry bedding will degrade.
Hope that helped a bit.

[ROBERT V. YOUNG]

I have the same truck Mr.Cyr.
I will send you photos of crown form.
I have not forgot.
I have pictures now and have to create a index or materials of how to make one.
I have never even thought the process out but in my head as I look for materials and building on the job.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

That reminds me of the Citadel Brick Robert. Nice looking brick and very absorbent.
Was not a good brick to use in the summer. Mortar dried to quick.