Hey guys, i'm currently building my first home and have come across something strange. The brick colour which I have chosen is meant to be Blue Steel Flash, however, various parts of the home, specifically under the windows appears to be purely red. I understand that there is natural variation in the colour of the brick and it can't be perfect but I think this looks ridiculous. Just looking to get some thoughts on this as I am not very experienced in the area of bricklaying.
Here are some pics:
https://imgur.com/a/3CBHEZH
New House Brick Discolouration Normal?
![](https://files.ozbargain.com.au/g/38.jpg)
Last edited 29/05/2019 - 14:40
Comments
PGH bricks, the display wall I saw and various other pictures I've seen of other houses with the same bricks don't have anywhere near the level of discolouration so I'm just wondering why it's turned out that way..
Its look like that is the style. So when you pick those bricks, did it appear as dry lighter colour (as in picture) or darker? You should remember that.I'm no expert but they are more closer to Blue Steel Flash / Nickel Flash based on the product website.
So I think what you got is what you order. No issues.They're indeed Blue Steel Flash, however they look like completely different bricks under the window sill. They have been acid washed but i'm not sure how this affects them.
@Jaqmax: Yeah, I know nothing on bricks, but looks like Blue Steel flash everywhere and Nickel flash under the window, but I could be wrong. It almost feels like they chose all the red bricks from the blue steel flash to mix with the nickel flash, instead of getting the blue look?
But again no idea, maybe it fades out, or is like that due to the sun, it does look more red then the blue steel flash should be but not nickel flash red, like some in-between. I don't hate it, but I imagine if you're going for that blue look you might not be the happiest.
LOL can't be coincident that the bricklayer picked up all red tinged ones for window sills
must be stain or something, maybe turn red when soaked/wet
The mortar still looks wet…
Did they only recently finish laying the sills?I think the colouration will fade away as the mortar dries.
The mortar is dry, the bricks have recently been acid washed if that makes a difference.
Looks like there is some solution over them which looks a little wet. It may possibly dry and go back to normal.
Liaise with the Builder over the issue.
Cheersthey do look very red for a product labelled as blue……
Have the bricks under the sill been cut to fit with the cut side out? If so they will always look darker esp when wet.
Yeah, the bricks have been cut to fit that area.
They just look damp to me.
Wait a week or so.that looks sh*t
what's with the big streak up the wall. that can't be natural colour variation
Also was wondering what that is, it didn't come off after the acid wash.
What did the builder say when you asked them?
Apparently it's normal, hence i'm here to get other opinions.
Looks like water/moisture to me?
What can be done anyway…knock down and start again?
True, just wanna know if this could've been avoided. Will see if it dries out and goes back to normal.
I think it’s just water, look at the bricks under the weep holes along the wall, and the drip line down the wall
Wait a bit and they will dry out.Looks like acid washing removes the color.
Maybe your acid wash pooled up on the window sill and the areas on and under the sill was subject to much more acid than everywhere else.
I had a similar issue with natural stone pool coping. In the end they came and replaced the whole lot, but that's another story.
What you cab do to get a second opinion is join your local Facebook group and ask for a recommended brick layer in the area. State you're looking for a second opinion and a 6 pack of beer for 10 mins of their time.
That wah you will get someone who has most probably worked with the same bricks from the same supplier.
Once he validated my opinion I was much more informed when talking to the pool builder
That looks a good to me.
Will they wash the whole wall?
Maybe the cross section color is just like thatThere are a lot of comments on here that whilst made in the best interest are way off the mark.
Have you considered calling the manufacturer?
As some have suggested they do look wet which can dramatically change the look of the product.
Acid and sun will not wash the colour off. It is cooked at 1030 degrees. Clay products do NOT fade.
It could be be that as the job progressed the bricklayer put aside all the really red ones and at the end of the job only had those left to do the sills. Very poor bricklaying practice if the case.
With respect posting on here is a waste of time for such issues.
I have sent the photos to the PGH Sales Manager.
Happy for you to email me at [email protected] and I will follow up.
It doesn't look right from the photos.This. Something is wrong. As well as the manufacturer, I would suggest getting athe opinion of a master bricklayer, experienced builder or architect who can tell you what and why it went wrong.
Doesn't look like the building from the photos on the website, that's for sure.
Nop but what brand is it? Maybe they meant to discolouration as part of new style? ie. That is the end product colour.