New construction - mortar flaking off

[condor11]

We have a worrying problem (to say the least)

Our new construction home is 6 month old and there seems to be an issue with the brickwork. On one section of the wall the mortar is flaking off.
There is nothing special about this section of the wall, it doesn't get any more rain or sun than the rest of the house.

Video of the problem is here:
https://youtu.be/sOGoZAZWTlU

The rest of the brickwork is fine - mortar is rock solid.
The brickwork was done in winter.

What could be the cause and what are the proper ways to repair something like this (if it's even repairable). How is it viewed from Tarion perspective?

Thanks everyone for advice...

[OttawaG]

That is worrisome.....

[suezuki650]

I'm following this and have a similar though different problem. In some areas the mortar has cracked right through. It looks like it's been there for years and I'm afraid chunks will break off. The house is only a year old.

[good2know]

It looks like - based on the mortar on the brick surface - that that area has been patched.

What is flaking off looks like just the surface layer caused by the addition of the patching material.

Cant really tell from the picture. but what is underneath appears solid and unbroken.

Nothing to worry about imo but put it on your year end and see what the builder has to say. Also ask them to remove the mortar from the face of the brick.

Originally Posted by condor11

We have a worrying problem (to say the least)

Our new construction home is 6 month old and there seems to be an issue with the brickwork. On one section of the wall the mortar is flaking off.
There is nothing special about this section of the wall, it doesn't get any more rain or sun than the rest of the house.

Video of the problem is here:
https://youtu.be/sOGoZAZWTlU

The rest of the brickwork is fine - mortar is rock solid.
The brickwork was done in winter.

What could be the cause and what are the proper ways to repair something like this (if it's even repairable). How is it viewed from Tarion perspective?

Thanks everyone for advice...

[Halton Home Inspector]

My first thought would be to get something with a strong point and poke at that mortar. If it is soft and crumbles then it is a poor mix or froze when it was applied. If that's the case then the mortar should be scraped out from between the bricks and re-pointed by a mason.

If the mortar is not soft then I would not be concerned.

[condor11]

It is strange yes. The material under the flaked parts appears to be solid.
I will observe it, if the new material starts to crumble over time.

It's strage why would they patch it afterwards, and just in that area. The house was built 6 month ago and they appeared to have briked it all in one pass.

[oakvillehomeowner]

that looks like a really thin layer that's flaking off - it may have been water that was accidentally sprayed on the mortar while wet and then re-tooled for some reason.

HHI is right - poke it with a screwdriver - if it gouges out easily then call the builder/add it to your tarion list. if it does nothing other than show shallow scratches, you should be fine.

I had mortar that didn't cure properly (precast concrete trim sucked all the water out before it could cure), and it fell out after a few years. it wasn't a big job to get it re-pointed, and I had some other brick repairs done at the same time.