Bricks spalling on external walls - NHBC? Questions answered and a range of solutions on problems and issues encountered with timber framed buildings

[fieldtripp62]

We have a fairly new build house built by Persimmon and still with 2 years to go on the NHBC warranty. We have a letter from Persimmon from a number of years ago saying that the incorrect bricks were used and they were going to replace all the spalling bricks on all properties on the estate.

Since then more bricks have spalled and Persimmon are no longer interested as it's outside the 2 years builder's warranty period. NHBC say it's not detrimental enough to a load bearing wall for it to be a claim.

If the bricks continue to spall until there are no faces left on any of them, surely then the house will fall down? Should I get a surveyor to look at it? It's a detached house.

[Iain@LyneTech]

Hi

your house will not fall down as all the loads are carried by the inner leaf. The outer leaf provides the appearance and weather proofing. I would still contact the NHBC or try the brick manufacturers as it will only get worse. The spalled bricks will allow additional moisture to enter your structure and may lead to internal problems.

[thedoctor]

See our project on freeze thaw action to understand how this spalling occurs and continue to push the NHBC for some action.