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Q. How do you incur a building defect?
Answer. A building can have a defect issued from the local government body based on the building code of Australia. This may be due to poor materials, products or building method being used; either due to the age of the building, lack of maintenance or poor advice or building application. Older buildings, or buildings out of warranty period, may not comply with these standards but must be judged against the standard at the time of construction or refurbishment.
It is important to obtain professional advice prior to attending to the necessary work to rectify any defects thus ensuring the correct materials and appropriate methods are used in the process.
Q. What are examples of building defects?
Answer. Building defects are where the building does not meet the building code e.g. structural cracks in brickwork; damage or deteriorated brick walls; concrete spalling or cancer; non-compliance with pest prevention i.e. termites; excessive structural roof sagging; poorly fitting windows and doors; shower or bath leaks and sagging ceilings; building dampness.
Q. Can you recycle bricks?
Answer. Yes, because bricks are made from a natural product, clay they can be reused. Re-cycled bricks are used in buildings, road construction, paving and landscaping.
Q. Can a brick be spoilt with the wrong cleaning process?
Answer. Yes, the correct application of products e.g. hydrochloric acid should only be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions or carried out by a professional tradesperson. Always use protective clothing and apply an amount on a small area first to test the result. The chemicals used for cleaning bricks are highly corrosive and should be used with caution especially when using the chemical indoors when adequate ventilation should be ensured.
Q. If a house has a variety of brick colours due to several additions; can we change the colour of the house bricks permanently with a dye or stain?
Answer. Yes, the process is called tinting which is a permanent modification of the colour and treatment of the brickwork. This has no direct adverse effects on the durability or structure of the bricks. This procedure consists of applying a colourfast oxide based pigment in a potassium silicate medium, resulting in a permanent tint to the surface of the brickwork.
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