Domsalla News

5 Signs Your Brickwork Needs Attention: A Guide for Property Owners

13 Nov 24


As a property owner in Eastbourne, maintaining the integrity of your brickwork is essential, especially with the challenges posed by the coastal climate and the infamous British rain. Sea air, with its high salt content, and heavy downpours can accelerate wear and tear on brick and mortar, making regular inspections critical for the health of your building. Here are five key signs your brickwork might need attention and why early intervention is crucial.


1. Cracks in the Brickwork

Cracks are one of the most obvious signs of trouble. They can appear for several reasons, including natural settling of the building, water ingress, or frost damage. In Eastbourne, the constant cycle of wet weather followed by freezing temperatures can lead to frost action, where trapped water expands and causes bricks to crack.

Why Act Early: Left unchecked, cracks can compromise structural integrity and allow further water ingress, leading to damp problems inside your property.


2. Mortar Deterioration

Mortar acts as the glue holding your brickwork together, but over time, it can crumble, wash away, or become soft due to weathering. Coastal properties in Eastbourne are particularly vulnerable because salt in the air accelerates the breakdown of mortar, especially in exposed areas.

Why Act Early: Weak mortar not only affects the appearance of your brickwork but can also lead to instability. Repointing (replacing damaged mortar) is a straightforward solution if caught early.


3. Efflorescence

Efflorescence appears as a white, powdery deposit on the surface of your brickwork. It’s caused by water drawing salts from the bricks and depositing them on the surface. This issue is common in areas with high humidity, like Eastbourne, where damp conditions and sea air provide the perfect environment for salt deposits.

Why Act Early: While efflorescence itself isn’t structurally harmful, it indicates water penetration, which could lead to more serious issues like damp or frost damage if ignored.


4. Spalling or Flaking Bricks

Spalling occurs when the surface of bricks begins to flake or crumble. This is often caused by water entering the brick, freezing, and expanding, which is a common occurrence during Eastbourne's winter months. Salt from the sea air can also crystallize within the bricks, exacerbating the problem.

Why Act Early: Spalling weakens the structural integrity of the brick and allows more water to penetrate, leading to a vicious cycle of damage.


5. Damp or Staining Inside the Property

Damp patches or staining on internal walls can often be traced back to issues with external brickwork. Cracks, damaged mortar, or insufficient cavity trays can allow rainwater to seep through, a significant problem in Eastbourne with its regular rain showers.

Why Act Early: Internal damp can lead to mold growth and structural timber decay, which are far costlier to address than repairing the external brickwork.


How Domsalla Building Services Ltd Can Help

At Domsalla Building Services Ltd, we understand the unique challenges that Eastbourne properties face. Whether it’s repointing mortar, replacing spalling bricks, or applying protective coatings to combat salt air and rain damage, our team has the expertise to safeguard your property.

Ignoring small issues today can lead to costly repairs tomorrow. If you’ve noticed any of these warning signs or simply want a professional assessment of your property’s brickwork, get in touch with us. Protecting your home’s integrity starts with proactive maintenance.

Contact Us Today:
📞 01323 430760
📧 info@domsalla.co.uk

Let’s keep your property standing strong against the elements!


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'Steve, Jason and all the team were excellent throughout a job which was fraught with problems caused by another companies bad work. They liaised with us at every point to explain the steps they were taking to remedy the issues. Everyone involved was polite, professional and helpful and we would highly recommend them.'

Mrs Pullen | Pevensey, East Sussex

We are pleased with the work that has been carried out. Thank you. We have also been impressed by the professionalism and the friendliness and politeness from all of your staff.
The scaffolding is beginning to come down now so we can have a good look and admire the handiwork after tomorrow. The house is much admired by neighbours and ourselves. Thank you for making it so easy.

Mrs Fall | Old Town, Eastbourne

Both guys that came were very friendly and just got on with the work. Our neighbour was impressed that after new arris rails were fitted to our fence the men swept up any mess and fallen leaves on their side as well as ours.

Mr Bill | Polegate, East Sussex

Domsalla worked at my house doing cavity wall insulation and also insulated the ceiling after which they plastered and decorated. All the people involved at each stage were friendly and professional. They cleaned to a high after they finished each day. I don't have the technical skills to upload any images, nonetheless I recommend them very highly.

Ms L Arend | Old Town, East Sussex

Star ratings reflect the exceptional overall standard of work.

Mr T Williams | Eastbourne, East Sussex

Many thanks to the Domsalla team they were very friendly and handled the job quickly and professionally. I will be contacting them in the future for more jobs.

Mr T Taylor | Eastbourne, East Sussex

Acting for and on behalf of the Trustees of Appledore Village Hall I would like to sincerely thank you for your initial prompt attendance and survey when we were experiencing perceived excessive mains water consumption. Indeed also for your return visit, this time scheduled when the Hall was unoccupied to enable instrument soundings to be taken for a thorough survey, thus proving there was no leakage to any of the underground and internally concealed pipework.

As previously explained we initially contacted you on a local personal recommendation and as your company had experience in insurance works, which, we feared, would be a route we would have to take if subterranean mains pipe replacements were necessary. Which you proved was gladly not the case.

Lastly for you to have conducted these surveys free gratis, in this instance, we find amazing in this day and age as money is in such short supply especially with the escalating fuel and utilities costs to community organisations. So in gratitude we can only assure you that either individually or collectively we will recommend you to others in the future, as some measure of recompense. In fact if a central official organisation is formed, as I’m sure it will be, to replace the old ‘Rural Kent Communities Hall Service’ be assured we will strongly recommend you for the appropriate listing.

We wish you every continued success.

Derek Winter – Chairman to the Trustees

Appledore Village Hall | Appledore

I would like to send a big thank you to all team, it's been a pleasure to deal with all of you.
Perfect communication from the very first day, very helpful always at the side with smiles. House looks more than perfect, with very high standards, is clean, good quality materials.
My self and family we couldn't ask for more after a fire last year I didn't expect in that short of time we will be able to back home and enjoy ourselves again. You have made that possible.

Thank you all of you so so much

Edyta

Edyta Alochna | Ramsgate

Following a major fire at my house, which was later demolished, the loss adjusters appointed Domsalla Building Services to re-build the property. At every stage of the build I was kept informed on how things were progressing and upon completion, I am extremely pleased with the quality of the work.
If I had used another builder, I don't think he would have been as helpful as Steve has been, and I can certainly recommend Domsalla Building Services.

Mr Smith | Playden

We are really pleased to be back home after a house fire meant we had to move out for 9 months. Domsalla Building Services were appointed by our insurance company in February 20; just before lockdown, which were uncertain times for everyone. Steve (Domsalla Building Services) did not let the challenges associated with this unprecedented national crisis, such as getting supplies and changing ways of working, stall the progress on repairing our house.
I am impressed at the result; the essential work from the plumbing, electrics, walls and ceilings and replacement windows and doors carried out are well fitted and are of good quality. The house itself presents to be in excellent order with a new kitchen and bathrooms installed, tiling and is flooring done and you would not know we have had a fire as work has been carried out to a very good standard and we are very pleased.
There have been some snagging issues along the way which Steve and his team have always been open to discuss and have got any problems or worries we had sorted out as these things came up. When this happened Steve kept in contact with us and monitored the progress with his workforce on site which was really appreciated and made us feel more reassured as we hadn’t planned to be in this predicament of having building work carried out. However, we would highly recommend Domsalla Building services for the work they have done for us and for going the extra mile in customer service. I would add that we feel we could not have picked a better company to work with had we been looking to hire a builder ourselves and we would like to express our thanks and best wishes to Steve and his team in future.

Mrs. Monaghan | Ashford

I just wanted to thank you all for the work you have done recently. I love my new shower room!
All the staff are amazing. I will recommend you to all my friends and family with 100% confidence in the work you do.

Ms O'Connor | Eastbourne

When my property in Uckfield, East Sussex was flooded in March 2018, I was devastated. Having lived there since our children were very small, it was very upsetting to see such devastation, with ceilings, collapsed, walls soaking wet and the house generally being unliveable.

The emergency cover I had with RIAS kicked in and the property was made safe immediately. Luckily I had my son nearby so moved in there for a month or so while our insurer found us a rental, near our home. We were not happy with the rental but only because it was nothing like our home, and this made us very committed to making sure the refurbishment went ahead as quick as possible. After a few delays our preferred contractor was appointed, and I am pleased to say that Steve Domsalla of Domsalla Building Services, based in Eastbourne, has done a tremendous job.

He has kept in constant contact with us throughout the build, to check we were happy with the work being done and sometimes to double-check that the paint colour or the tiles we had requested were what we truly wanted. The finishing has been superb, including paint work, coving, ceiling work and skirting boards. We are almost ready to move back in and I cannot believe what a fabulous job Steve has done. With that in mind, not only would I recommend RIAS/Ageas to friends, but I would sincerely like RIAS/Ageas to continue working with Domsalla and to somehow reward this company’s great work. Their professionalism and dedication has made a huge difference. I am now a very happy customer. Many thanks, Peter N.C. King.

Peter King | Uckfield

Re: Remedial construction services provided

With all works now complete, it is now opportune to thank you most sincerely for the services you have provided to us in the course of the remedial insurance works to our property. It has been a long haul and as torturous for you, I am sure, as it has been for us especially on the last lap when your chaps had to work around us living back in the house, however there were never any issues with this. They operated like well bred house guests, punctual, reliable, clean and tidy and nothing seemed to be too much trouble for them.

Your programme of works was sensibly flexible in catering for the inevitable unknowns of which there were many and these were handled in the same fashion as the originally anticipated schedule of works with diligence, professionalism and no fuss, even when additional trades were required at short notice and the overall quality of workmanship has left nothing to be desired.

The regular contacting and updating by your administration is certainly to your credit and made a world of difference by affording us, in advance, opportunities to be flexible with our own needs.

Thank you once again and we assure you most earnestly that we would not hesitate in recommending your services to others, sadly a rare thing to be able to say today. We wish you well and continued success.

Mr Derek Winter | Kent

'Warren has finished the steps and side path.
The steps are beautiful.
Thank you again to Warren for all of his hard work.'

Mrs Kerry | Eastbourne

The work at my home is now complete – and it’s terrific! We’re thrilled with how it has turned out. The guys were amazing and we’re going to miss them. Within the next year, we’d like to have the garden paved – and we now know who to call!

Mr Price | Eastbourne

Thank you so much for our lovely Extension! Especially to Mick for his Patience and great vision. One of our fears was that the Garden would look like a building site but the rubbish was removed daily and materials delivered as they were used, very tidy Builders!

We are sitting in our Extended Day Room, drinking coffee as we write
this accolade! We will definitely be singing your praises! Thank you again.

Mr & Mrs Franklyn | Etchingham

Domsalla Ltd modernised a second Buy-to-Let property I had recently purchased. They were very particular that every nut & bolt was discussed and ironed out before works commenced. This on reflection was a vital ingredient for the success of the works.

The whole job was carried out over a short time frame and to a very high standard. I thoroughly recommend Domsalla Building Services Ltd.

Mrs Leonards | Worthing

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