Sealing Bricks

[Steve H]

Hi, I have just had my wall outside my hose tidied up and it has been topped with the red bricks that have the 3 holes in them (can't remember the name but I think they are used for manholes etc) anyway I beleive I should be sealing them and was wondering what product to use.

Any advice?

Cheers
Steve

[Road2Ruin]

If the bricks are in good condition there ashould not be any need to seal them, however I dont recall the bricks you are talking about. If you want to be sure Thomsons water seal should do the trick.

[Steve H]

Thanks for the reply, Nice car by the way.....I have an S1
Steve

[gtr-gaz]

Semi engineering bricks?

If so, I don't think they need sealing. That's why they use them for manholes.

[eps]

Are you talking about sealing them or finishing the top of with something??

[Simpo Two]

I think he means the water will sit in the holes.

Seems an odd way to finish off a wall - you could fill the holes up with mortar - or how about coping stones?

[DBSV8]

Simpo Two said:

I think he means the water will sit in the holes.

Seems an odd way to finish off a wall - you could fill the holes up with mortar - or how about coping stones?

seconded there should be no need to seal an outside wall ,

Coping stones will make a neat finish

[Steve H]

I havent set them on top with the holes showing, I have had them laid horizontally on top of the wall, see my profile pic and the wall behind the car is mine. I have had the top bricks replaced with the red ones.

[Simpo Two]

Ah right, so the fact they have three holes in them is beside the point and was merely mentioned to identify the brick type.

[Steve H]

Simpo Two said:

Ah right, so the fact they have three holes in them is beside the point and was merely mentioned to identify the brick type.

Correct, sorry, should have been more descriptive.
Steve

[mrmaggit]

Steve H said:

Simpo Two said:

Ah right, so the fact they have three holes in them is beside the point and was merely mentioned to identify the brick type.

Correct, sorry, should have been more descriptive.
Steve

The holes are there for economy, it needs less gas/heat to fire bricks with holes through them. There must be 300+ different bricks with three holes in them.

If they're the bricks for manholes, they're Class B Engineering Bricks, and will be made to a certain crushing strength and water absorption. You'll be OK with them for use where you have them, there are some made "solid" for use on the ends so you don't see any holes, but they are expensive.

[Robwhite]

DON'T SEAL THE BRICKS!!! If you have solid brick walls they are designed to take up the water when it rains and then let it evaporate when it stops. If you seal the bricks with Thompsons or something similar you will miss bits (everybody does) so that will let the water in and the Thompsons will stop it from evaporating back out. This WILL lead to penetrating damp, I've seen it often enough doing pre-purchase house surveys. The worst case was a solid stone house with dreadfull damp in all rooms on both levels on the wet side. I was completely foxed until the owner told me what she had had done - I told to client not to go hear the place.

[jules_s]

Robwhite said:

DON'T SEAL THE BRICKS!!! If you have solid brick walls they are designed to take up the water when it rains and then let it evaporate when it stops. If you seal the bricks with Thompsons or something similar you will miss bits (everybody does) so that will let the water in and the Thompsons will stop it from evaporating back out. This WILL lead to penetrating damp, I've seen it often enough doing pre-purchase house surveys. The worst case was a solid stone house with dreadfull damp in all rooms on both levels on the wet side. I was completely foxed until the owner told me what she had had done - I told to client not to go hear the place.

I'm guessing frost heave may also be a possibility?