Avoid Using Old Bricks While Building Your Home, Warns Civil Engineer Deepak Kumar

New Delhi: Constructing a new home is often the culmination of a lifetime’s savings. But trying to save a few rupees by using old bricks can turn out to be a costly mistake. Civil engineer Deepak Kumar warns that reused bricks can compromise the strength of your home and even lead to serious problems like dampness and saltpeter.

Weakness and Reduced Durability

Every brick has a lifespan. Bricks salvaged from 20–30-year-old buildings have endured years of sun, rain, and weathering, reducing their load-bearing capacity. Using such bricks in new construction can make walls more prone to cracks or collapse.

Irregular Size and Shape

When old bricks are extracted, they often break at the corners or develop cracks. Their irregular shape makes them difficult to align properly, resulting in uneven walls and poor finishing.

Increased Mortar Usage and Weak Joints

Old bricks require more cement and sand to fill gaps due to their uneven shape. According to Deepak Kumar, overuse of mortar not only increases construction costs but also weakens the structural integrity of the walls.

Dampness Issues

Old bricks absorb moisture over time, becoming more porous. When used in new plastering, they can draw in moisture, causing early dampness, peeling, and health hazards for occupants.

Saltpeter Risk

Many old bricks contain salts, leading to “shora” – a condition where salt crystals rise to the surface, damaging plaster and paint. Once shora develops, repairing it is expensive and complicated, and it gradually weakens the brickwork.

Construction Delays and Higher Labor Costs

Sorting, cleaning, and fitting old bricks is time-consuming. Masons spend extra time adjusting broken or uneven bricks, increasing labor costs. Often, the money saved on bricks is offset by higher labor and additional mortar expenses.

Proper Uses for Old Bricks

Deepak Kumar suggests that instead of using old bricks in main walls, they can be effectively used in:

• Base preparation under floors
• Foundations of external boundary walls
• Roof slopes or filling for temporary pathways

Using old bricks in these non-critical areas allows you to recycle materials safely without compromising the safety and durability of your home.