The Guide to Spalling Brick: What It Is & How to Fix It
Key Takeaways
Spalling brick is a type of brick damage that causes the surface to crack, flake, or crumble after moisture gets trapped inside the brick.
The most common causes of spalling brick include water intrusion, freeze-thaw cycles, deteriorating mortar joints, poor drainage, and aging masonry.
You can identify spalled brick by looking for peeling surfaces, cracked bricks, loose mortar, and pieces of brick breaking away from the wall.
Spalling brick repair might involve patching minor damage, replacing individual bricks, repointing mortar joints, and correcting the moisture problem that caused the damage.
Repairing spalled brick early can help prevent more extensive masonry damage and reduce repair costs.
Keeping gutters, drainage, flashing, and mortar joints in good condition is one of the best ways to prevent brick spalling.
Spalling brick repair costs typically range from a few hundred dollars for minor repairs to several thousand dollars for large restoration projects.
Spalling brick is one of the most common masonry problems homeowners encounter, especially in climates like Utah where freezing winters, hot, dry summers, and seasonal moisture can take a toll on brick over time. The good news is that catching spalling early can greatly reduce expensive repair costs down the road. As you keep reading, we'll explain what spalling brick is, what causes it, how to identify the warning signs, the best ways to repair and prevent it, as well as what repairs typically cost.
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What Is Spalling Brick?
If you’ve started noticing pieces of brick flaking off, cracking, or crumbling away, there’s a really good chance you’re dealing with spalling brick. Spalling typically happens when moisture gets inside a brick, and over time, changes in temperature or repeated wet and dry cycles cause the outer surface to break apart. It starts with just a few small chips, but the damage can gradually spread and affect more of the wall if left ignored.
Being able to recognize spalling brick is important because it isn’t just a cosmetic issue. As the protective outer layer of the brick wears away, more moisture can get inside, making the problem worse. In severe cases, damaged bricks might need to be replaced to restore the strength and appearance of the structure. Fortunately, if you catch spalling early enough, the repairs are fairly simple and help prevent more expensive damage down the road.
What Causes Spalling Brick?
The biggest contributor to spalling brick is water. Bricks naturally absorb some moisture, but problems begin when that moisture can’t escape. During cold weather, the trapped water freezes and expands, putting pressure on the brick from the inside. After enough freeze-and-thaw cycles, the surface begins to crack, chip, or peel away.
There are several reasons moisture might be getting into your brickwork in the first place. Some of the most common causes include the following:
Poor drainage around the building
Damaged or missing mortar joints
Leaking gutters or downspouts
Improperly sealed brick surfaces
Low-quality or aging bricks
Sprinkler or irrigation systems regularly soaking the wall
How to Identify Spalled Brick
Spalled brick is generally pretty easy to spot once you know what to look for. In the early stages, you might see small flakes or thin layers peeling away from the surface of the brick. As the damage progresses, the brick may develop cracks, rough patches, or larger pieces that completely break off. You might also find chunks of brick collecting on the ground near the wall.
Some of the most common signs of spalled brick include:
Flaking or peeling surface
Chipped or crumbling edges
Visible cracks in the individual bricks
Bricks that appear pitted or uneven
White, powdery deposits (called efflorescence) which can indicate excess moisture
Loose or deteriorating mortar around the bricks
Because spalling is almost always moisture-related, it’s also worth looking for signs of nearby water intrusion. Look for things like overflowing gutters, poor drainage, or areas where water regularly sits against the wall.
How to Repair Spalled Brickwork
The first, and most important step in repairing spalled brickwork is addressing what’s causing the underlying moisture problem. Simply replacing or patching the damaged bricks is basically just a band-aid fix. A professional will often inspect the masonry, gutters, drainage, flashing, and surrounding area to determine where water is getting in before starting on any repairs.
Here's what the repair process typically looks like:
Identify the source of the moisture causing the brick to deteriorate.
Repair the underlying issue, such as leaking gutters, damaged flashing, poor drainage, or deteriorating mortar.
Assess the condition of the bricks to determine whether they can simply be repaired or need to be completely replaced.
Repair or replace damaged bricks and repoint any deteriorated mortar joints.
Repoint the mortar joints with fresh mortar to strengthen the wall and help prevent water from getting back inside.
Allow the masonry to cure properly before exposing it to heavy moisture or freezing temperatures.
Inspect the finished repair to make sure the masonry is properly protected against future moisture intrusion.
The right kind of repair is going to basically depend on how much damage has been done. If the spalling is minor and only affects the surface of a few bricks, a color-matched masonry repair mortar or brick repair compound could be enough to improve their appearance and add another layer of protection. But if the bricks are badly cracked, soft, or crumbling, replacing them is definitely the better way to go. At the same time, any worn or damaged mortar joints are often repaired as well to help keep moisture from working its way back into the wall.
Ways to Prevent Spalling Brick
Since moisture is the biggest contributing factor, catching those issues early on is by far the best way to prevent your brick from spalling.
Keep your gutters and downspouts clean so water is directed away from your home.
Make sure the ground slopes away from your foundation to prevent water from pooling near brick walls.
Repair cracked or deteriorating mortar joints before moisture has a chance to seep inside.
Fix leaking roofs, flashing, or plumbing that could allow water to reach the masonry.
Avoid spraying brick walls with irrigation systems or pressure washing on a regular basis.
Schedule periodic masonry inspections to catch any small problem before they turn into a much bigger one.
How Much Does Spalling Brick Repair Cost?
On average, homeowners can expect to spend anywhere from a few hundred dollars for minor repairs to several thousand dollars for larger restoration projects. If the underlying moisture problem also needs to be fixed, that can significantly add to the overall cost as well. And remember, while it can be tempting to put off repairs, fixing spalling early in the game keeps things way more affordable than waiting for the damage to spread.
Repair Type | Typical Cost |
Minor surface repair (small area) | $250–750 |
Replace a few damaged bricks | $400–1,200 |
Repoint damaged mortar joints | $8–25 per sq. ft. |
Repair a larger section of brick wall | $1,000–3,500+ |
Extensive brick restoration | $3,500–10,000+ |
Labor rates vary by location, but these estimates are a good representation of what homeowners can expect in many parts of the country, including Utah.
Protect Your Brickwork for the Long Haul
Brick is one of the most durable building materials around, but like anything that is constantly exposed to the elements, it needs a little attention from time to time. Understanding what causes spalling, knowing the warning signs, and taking care of problems early can all help you avoid more extensive repairs and keep your masonry looking its best for years to come.
If you’ve been seeing some of the signs of brick spalling, or you simply have another masonry project you've been meaning to tackle, we’d be happy to help. At S&R Custom Masonry in Salt Lake City, we’ve helped homeowners with everything from brick repair and restoration to custom stonework and new masonry projects. Get in touch with our friendly team today, and let's talk about the best way to bring your masonry project to life.
FAQs
Can You Render Over Spalling Bricks?
It's generally not a good idea. Rendering over spalling bricks could hide the damage for a while, but it won't fix the underlying moisture problem that's causing the bricks to deteriorate. In many cases, the damage will continue beneath the render and eventually cause it to crack or fail. It's best to repair the damaged masonry first.
Do Spalled Bricks Need to Be Replaced?
Not always. If the damage is minor and only affects the surface, repairs may be enough to restore and protect the brick. However, bricks that are severely cracked, crumbling, or have lost a significant amount of material often need to be replaced. A masonry professional can determine whether repair or replacement is the better option.
How Do You Stop Bricks From Spalling?
The key is keeping excess moisture out of the brickwork. That might mean repairing damaged mortar joints, fixing leaking gutters or flashing, improving drainage around your home, or addressing other sources of water intrusion. Catching these issues early is one of the best ways to prevent spalling before it starts.
Are Spalled Bricks a Structural Problem?
They can be, depending on how extensive the damage is. A few surface chips are usually more of a maintenance issue than a structural concern. However, if multiple bricks are badly deteriorated or the damage has spread over a large area, the wall's strength could eventually be affected. If you're unsure, it's a good idea to have the brickwork inspected before the problem gets worse.
Can Spalling Brick Be Repaired Without Replacing the Entire Wall?
Yes. In most cases, only the damaged bricks and mortar need to be repaired or replaced rather than rebuilding the entire wall. As long as the rest of the masonry is in good condition and the source of the moisture is properly fixed, targeted repairs are often enough to restore both the appearance and durability of the brickwork.
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