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i’m not looking for someone who just good at repointing or laying brick–I want to find someone who is seriously expert.

after a lot of research, it seems clear that one of the reasons (probably the primary reason) for the spalling of our brick walls is that it was repointed by the previous owners using cement mortar rather than lime-based mortar. apparently, in pre-1900 buildings, the mortar was lime-based, which worked harmoniously with the type of bricks they were using: the walls “breathe” through the mortar, which is softer and more porous than the brick. when you lay concrete mortar over that, the bricks are forced to breathe through their faces, which is a major cause of spalling.

we had the moisture levels of the bricks and building as a whole check–there is not a moisture “problem” as most will suggest.

thus far, I’ve spoken to several people–contractors and the like–who have never heard of this. they insist you just coat the walls with more cement or impenetrable sealers, which is just contrary to what professional masonry literature says to do with buildings this age.. SO, I’m really trying to find someone with a truly expert knowledge. any great rec’s?