It's something many homeowners notice but often ignore.
A small crack appears in the brickwork.
Then another.
Over the years, the mortar begins to crumble, and the wall no longer looks as solid as it once did.
Across Bolton, we regularly inspect properties where homeowners ask:
👉 "Is it normal for brickwork to crack as it gets older?"
👉 "Should I be worried about these cracks?"
👉 "Could cracked brickwork lead to damp problems?"
The answer is that some ageing of masonry is perfectly normal, but cracks should never be dismissed without understanding what's caused them.
Over time, weather, moisture and seasonal temperature changes all affect the performance of external brickwork.
The good news is that with the right maintenance, much of this deterioration can be slowed significantly.
🧱 Brickwork Is Constantly Exposed To The Weather
Unlike internal walls, external brickwork spends its entire life facing the elements.
Year after year it experiences:
- Heavy rainfall
- Frost
- Strong winds
- UV exposure
- Seasonal temperature changes
Although bricks are incredibly durable, repeated weather exposure naturally causes gradual ageing.
This is particularly noticeable on older properties.
💧 Water Is Often The Biggest Cause Of Deterioration
Brickwork is naturally porous.
During wet weather it absorbs a certain amount of rainwater.
Normally this isn't a problem because the wall dries naturally.
However, as masonry ages it often becomes more absorbent due to:
- Weathered brick faces
- Eroded mortar joints
- Small surface cracks
- General wear
The more moisture a wall absorbs, the greater the risk of long-term deterioration.
❄️ Freeze-Thaw Damage Can Cause Cracking
One of the biggest causes of ageing brickwork is the freeze-thaw cycle.
Here's how it works:
- Rainwater is absorbed into the masonry.
- Temperatures fall below freezing.
- The trapped water expands as it freezes.
- Pressure builds within the brick.
Repeated thousands of times over many winters, this process can gradually weaken both bricks and mortar.
Eventually this may result in:
✔ Fine cracks
✔ Surface flaking (spalling)
✔ Loose mortar
✔ Localised damage
🌧️ Saturated Walls Dry More Slowly
When brickwork repeatedly absorbs moisture, it can remain wet for much longer after rainfall.
You may notice:
- Dark patches on external walls
- Green algae growth
- Moss developing
- Walls staying damp for days
This prolonged saturation increases the effects of weathering and allows deterioration to accelerate.
🧱 Mortar Usually Wears Before The Bricks
In many cases, the bricks themselves remain sound.
Instead, it's the mortar joints that begin to deteriorate first.
Mortar is designed to be the sacrificial element of the wall.
Over time it naturally:
- Erodes
- Cracks
- Washes away
This is why repointing older properties is an important part of long-term maintenance.
Maintaining mortar joints also helps reduce the amount of water entering the wall.
🌬️ Wind-Driven Rain Can Speed Up Ageing
Some elevations experience significantly more weather than others.
Walls exposed to prevailing winds often receive:
✔ More rain
✔ Stronger weather exposure
✔ Longer periods of saturation
These elevations frequently show signs of ageing sooner than more sheltered areas of the property.
🏠 Small Cracks Can Allow More Moisture Inside
Even relatively minor cracks can allow rainwater to penetrate deeper into the wall.
Once moisture begins entering the masonry:
- Drying becomes slower.
- Internal damp risks increase.
- Further weather damage becomes more likely.
This is why routine inspections are so valuable.
Addressing small defects early is often far simpler than dealing with major repairs later.
🛡️ Prevention Is Better Than Repair
One of the most effective ways to protect ageing masonry is to reduce the amount of rainwater it absorbs in the first place.
Modern breathable masonry protection systems can help achieve this without trapping moisture inside the wall.
Unlike traditional surface sealants, these treatments are designed to:
✔ Repel rainwater
✔ Maintain breathability
✔ Reduce wall saturation
✔ Help slow weather-related deterioration
This supports the long-term health of the masonry while allowing water vapour to continue escaping naturally.
💧 How Masonry Protection Can Help
At Weather Wise Solutions Limited, we install advanced masonry protection systems from ProPERLA UK.
These breathable masonry crème treatments penetrate into the brickwork, creating a hydrophobic barrier that significantly reduces rainwater absorption while still allowing the wall to breathe.
Potential benefits include:
- Reduced wall saturation
- Improved drying after rainfall
- Less algae and moss growth
- Reduced risk of freeze-thaw damage
- Longer-lasting external brickwork
It's important to remember that masonry protection is a preventative measure—it works best once any existing defects, such as cracked pointing or damaged brickwork, have been repaired.
⚠️ Common Signs Your Brickwork Needs Attention
Watch for:
✔ Cracked mortar joints
✔ Fine cracks in brick faces
✔ Green algae growth
✔ Bricks remaining wet for long periods
✔ Flaking brick surfaces
✔ Damp patches appearing internally
These are often early indicators that maintenance is required.
🔍 How We Assess Ageing Brickwork
At Weather Wise Solutions Limited, we assess:
- Brick condition
- Mortar condition
- External moisture exposure
- Rainwater absorption
- Existing defects
- Long-term maintenance requirements
Because the important question isn't:
👉 "Can we fill the crack?"
It's:
👉 "Why has the brickwork deteriorated in the first place?"
🛠️ How We Help Protect Older Brickwork
Depending on the property's condition, recommendations may include:
- Repointing
- Localised brick repairs
- Render repairs
- Rainwater goods maintenance
- Masonry protection systems
- External wall maintenance
The objective is always to reduce future moisture exposure and help preserve the building for many years to come.
📞 Need Help in Bolton?
If your brickwork is beginning to crack or your external walls are showing signs of weathering, a professional inspection can help identify the cause before more significant damage develops.
At Weather Wise Solutions Limited, we're a family-run damp company specialising in:
- External wall protection
- Repointing
- Damp proofing
- Penetrating damp diagnosis
- Render repairs
We're also proud members of the Damp Proofing Association and the Federation of Damp, with CPD-qualified specialists in dampness in buildings.
👉 Book your free quote here: https://weatherwiseuk.co.uk/pages/contact
👉 Contact us today: https://weatherwiseuk.co.uk/pages/contact