How Much Does It Cost to Fix Brick Spalling?

By Hannah Stephens

February 21, 2026

Nothing impacts your home's curb appeal quite like crumbling, neglected-looking brickwork. While most people would agree that spalling brickwork is unsightly, it can cause more than just an eyesore when left unchecked.

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Fixing damaged brickwork as soon as you notice it is the best way to stop brick spalling in its tracks. Let's explore how much spalling brick repair costs and why it matters.

What Is Brick Spalling and What Causes It?

Brick spalling happens when bricks crack, crumble or chip, causing the surface to break away. This process exposes the interior of the brick, which is often softer and more porous. While spalling is often considered an aesthetic problem, it can sometimes cause structural issues.

Water absorption is the main cause of brick spalling. Water trapped below the surface of the brick can freeze during cold weather. Freezing and thawing causes the brick surface to expand and contract, leading to crumbling and cracking.

Brick spalling often gets worse over time because damaged brick is more prone to water ingress. Bricks can also become more porous with age, which means that older properties are more likely to suffer with spalling than newer buildings.

Non-breathable mortar can make brick spalling worse by trapping water inside walls. This type of mortar often lacks flexibility, making older bricks more likely to crack under stress when movement occurs.

How Much Does Brick Spalling Repair Cost?

According to HomeGuide, brick spalling repair costs between $1,000 and $3,000 (CAD 1,364 and CAD 4,091) on average. These figures are for a large area of up to 100 square feet. Fixing smaller areas of spalling usually costs less, with most homeowners paying between $250 and $450 (CAD 341 to CAD 614).

Accessibility impacts the cost to repair spalling. Fixing spalling bricks in hard-to-reach areas like chimneys or high walls is more expensive because your masonry contractor will require scaffolding to work safely at height.

You may also pay more if your building is older or built using custom bricks. Matching heritage or custom bricks increases the cost of materials, driving up the total price.

Additional Remediation For Repairing Spalled Brickwork

Depending on the cause, your repair company may recommend additional remediation to prevent further spalling in the future. For example, they may advise you to replace non-breathable mortar using a process known as tuckpointing. On average, tuckpointing costs around $5 to $25 (CAD 6.82 to CAD 34) per square foot or between $400 and $2,000 (CAD 545 and CAD 2,727) for an entire wall.

Can You Repair Spalled Bricks Without Replacing Them?

Whether you can repair spalling bricks depends on the extent of the damage. Generally, repair companies recommend replacing spalling bricks altogether if they're causing structural issues or more than half of the brick has fallen away. However, you can sometimes fix less severe spalling without brick replacement, which will lower the cost of repairs.

Repairing spalling bricks usually involves removing any crumbling materials and applying mortar to rebuild the missing surface. Your contractor may coat the rebuilt surface with brick dust so that its appearance matches the rest of the wall. They will then apply a transparent, water-resistant sealant to block moisture absorption and prevent further freeze-thaw cycle damage.

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What Happens If You Don't Repair Spalled Brickwork?

Water will continue to damage the brick if you don't perform prompt brick deterioration repairs. Over time, the issue can spread to the surrounding bricks, worsening your home's cosmetic appearance.

Gradually, water will penetrate deeper inside the brick, causing further crumbling. Deeper water penetration reduces the brick's insulative ability, making your home colder and more expensive to heat. You may also notice signs of damp on interior walls, such as:

Mold growth
Peeling paint
Visible wet or discolored patches
Crumbling plaster
Unpleasant, musty odors
Excessive condensation

Eventually, widespread brick spalling can cause structural damage to the affected wall. As the water damage becomes more severe, walls can weaken or even collapse.

Is Brick Spalling Preventable?

Controlling moisture is the most effective way to prevent brick spalling. You can do this by:

Installing gutters and downspouts to direct water away from walls
Using soft, breathable mortar for repointing or tuckpointing
Applying breathable sealant to exterior walls
Removing plants from the areas around your home
Avoiding pressure washers to clean delicate brickwork

The cause of excessive moisture isn't always obvious. A masonry professional can advise you on the most effective way to protect your home against moisture and keep your brickwork in good condition.

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