Damp Proof Course - Brickwork Help and Advice Needed All manner of questions and solutions to problems and issues surrounding the subject of brickwork, blockwork and stonework

[alexeix]

Hi,

I'm having a new damp proof course installed at my Victorian house, as there is penetrating damp, which is causing the plaster to come off the wall inside.

The damp proof installer has removed the plaster, but he says that the brickwork has been damaged and is soaked, so bricks probably need replacing.
However, there is render up to about waist height on the outside and he needs to remove it, in order to make a complete analysis.
He says that the outside render is also acting like a sponge.

Essentially he is saying that he thinks there are 'perished' bricks which will not dry out, or if they do, they'll just get wet again and the damp will come through the wall.

Of course, all this means that we have to write a blank cheque and funds are short right now...

I've only heard of brickwork being damaged by spalling (the face of the brick falling off due to water damage and freezing), and I'm not sure if that would happen under rendered brickwork.
Can anyone confirm?

Even if the brickwork was damaged in this way, would that still result in the bricks soaking up water, considering that the surface of the brickwork is rendered?

Has anyone seen this problem previously?

Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!

[welsh brickie]

the render is usually removed internally and externally to install chemical injection, there is no need to remove bricks as the new render will cover them, or its face brick and or it is structurally unsound, get another opinion

[alexeix]

Thanks for the reply.

The outside render has not been removed to do carry out the injections.
The guy reckons that having removed the plaster, the brickwork is very wet, so he now suggests removing the outside render to check the condition of the bricks.

He thinks that if we don't do that and just re-plaster the inside (after the damp proof treatment), that the damp will come through from the bricks.

The work has already started, so now we feel that we have no choice but to continue.
This may be the right course of action, but of course, we don't know for sure.

[welsh brickie]

the outside render is removed so he can drill the bricks, 2 holes per brick then a silicone based chemical is injected, the render is usually cut about a metre high, check on youtube for videos on the process it will give you an idea on whats involved