Leaks in Internal Brick Walls

Causes

• A brick wall contains two components: the physical bricks and the mortar that holds them together. Bricks are porous, meaning that they can absorb water, and mortar is also porous. Water can also enter through the space between the mortar and bricks. If the brick wall has exposure to moisture from outside rain, water vapor or faulty internal plumbing, the water may penetrate the bricks and seep in.

More Specific Causes

• A good mason accounts for the porosity of the bricks and takes measures to prevent water penetration during construction. If you have water seeping in, this likely indicates that the bricks were not properly laid in the first place. More specifically, water most often leaks in because of gaps between the bricks and mortar, at the head joints (vertical joints between the bricks and mortar). This occurs if the mortar contains too much cement or moisture during installation, causing shrinkage during the drying process.

Remedies

• Remedying the problem requires an effective moisture barrier. Examine the bricks to determine where the moisture enters. Try spraying your bricks with a commercial water repellent, sold in home improvement stores. Apply the solution according to the manufacturer's instructions. Water repellents contain chemicals that seal hairline cracks and prevent water from entering. Spray the areas where moisture visibly enters, but also other sections of the wall where you find potential for leakage, like wherever small cracks occur

Other Information

• If the water is not entering your home from the outside, you likely have a more serious problem such as a plumbing leak or a leaky roof. Contact a plumber or contractor immediately if you cannot identify the source of your leak. Internal water accumulation can cause warping in your walls of floor, mold and mildew or even permanent structural damage.