Building defects database - Damp

Record details

	Soft, porous brickwork set in lime mortar. The wall will gradually absorb water and is therefore less likely to allow penetration through the wall unless the brickwork becomes saturated - contrast with image (b) below. The wall will ‘breathe’ naturally and allow moisture to return to the atmosphere as it dries out.
	Dense, well-burnt engineering bricks will not absorb any moisture so rainwater will stay on the outer face and run down the wall. This water will exploit any gaps between the bricks and the surrounding mortar, or within the mortar courses, not unusual with a rich Portland cement mix, and leakage into cavity is highly likely.