Cube Mark One Run

[Bramble]

Hello, I'm hoping someone out there on omlepedia will be able to put my mind at rest ...

VERY long story short, but I live in a new build house which has suffered horrendous problems with the guttering being damaged by the snow falls over the last two winters. Anyway, it took the builders ages to repair the guttering last time which has resulted in two HUGE damp patches on the brickwork (one right outside the front door, the other right outside the back door, both patches run the full height of the house). As the builders requested, I have left it for ten months in the hope that the patches would dry out and whilst they have dried to a point, they are still very much in evidence. The builders have replied to my most recent email by saying that they want to "tint the brickwork" to correct the difference in colour. Has anyone ever heard of this? I'm just concerned that they don't make it any worse? Rather worried about it all and as I live alone it tends to make technical stuff like this even more scary . Any help, suggestions etc will be gratefully received.

Thanks everyone!

[bluekarin]

Well, I'd not heard of it before, but after a quick Google, I found this http://www.dyebrick.com/gallery2/v/album_001/Claire/ I'm quite impressed with the end result, so I would think as long as they get the right shade, it would look much better having it done.

[Charlottechicken]

I was forced to paint quite a few bricks on the front of my house as the previous owners thought a Victorian terrace would benefit from having a tonne of faux York stone stuck to the front They also painted the bricks under the front bay window with black gloss paint, for good measure

 

No-one can tell which bricks have been painted until I point them out. I had great fun buying and mixing Sandtex matchpots

 

I'm sure it'll look great if it's anything like those pics in bluekarin's link.

[Cinnamon]

Hubby is in the building trade & he says its really effective if its done well.

[Bramble]

Brilliant!! Thank you all very much for the replies, I've calmed down a bit now and have also told the builders I'm anxious about it, they were very understanding, but apparently they sub-contract the work to a specialist company, who hopefully will know what they're doing, so fingers crossed it'll be fine. I just have to wait for them to contact me and take it from there.

Thanks again everyone!!!

[sjp]

ask them if you can visit a house that's had it done by the same sub contracter

[Bramble]

ask them if you can visit a house that's had it done by the same sub contracter

That's a great idea, thank you, I'll do that!

[Charlottechicken]

Don't forget, we need before and after pictures!

[Bramble]

Don't forget, we need before and after pictures!

Oh ok, thanks, I'll do that too!!!

[ounceweight]

There are a nunber of reputable brick tinting companies out there ask the Brick Development Association (BDA) for some names. Hopefully the one your House Builder has chosen is one of those the BDA give you. It might then be worth finding out who they have appointed.

 

Remember though, the bricks needs to be thououghly dry before the tinting is carried out or you could have further problems and that is possibly why they have suggested waiting.

[Bramble]

Wow, thanks for that, that's really useful!!! It's almost a year since the "damage was done" and I was happy to leave things alone for a while in the hope that drying the bricks out would deal with the problem, but unfortunately some staining remains and I suspect it's going to be difficult to get the bricks dry enough any time soon, but I haven't heard any more from the builders, they said they company they use were v busy and it would take a while for them to get back to me. Will keep you posted, thanks again!