Forum
« Cast Iron Radiators - $75 Tiling and Painting »
October 31, 2009
Crumbling Brick
I am a renter in a beautiful duplex brownstone in Carroll Gardens. We have exposed brick walls in the kitchen, with a non-working brick fireplace. The owner has chosen not to seal the interior brick. Although this adds charm to the kitchen, I worry about the health hazards of the crumbling brick for my family. I have a 2yr old and new born. I don't mind the clean-up, but does anyone know if there is any immediate health hazards for old crumbling brick (interior) walls?
Comments
Don't let 'em lick the brick.
Seriously, tho', stop worrying about what's bad for kids. A little dirt, dust and other effluvia will ensure they have good immune systems.
Posted by: cmu at October 31, 2009 2:49 PM
Lead paint dust is supposed to be bad. Brick, I never heard any kind of warning. But I'm not some kind of expert on environmental hazards or anything.
Posted by: mopar at October 31, 2009 8:49 PM
Speaking very generally, brick is made from fired, locally-sourced clay, the composition and firing temperature varying from region to region. Clay, and therefore brick, contains silica. Generally speaking, silica dust exposure is not hazardous as the result of skin contact or ingestion, but chronic inhalation can be moderately hazardous (we're talking ceramic artists, not apartment dwellers). There are entire cultures where clay-eating is normal (fresh clay, that is, not dust). Dust from your wall would include particles from the mortar as well as the brick.
It’s possible that your LL has not sealed the brick because of prior problems with trapping moisture, or concern over changing its color or leaving a sheen. Do you know if this is the case with your own LL? There are products on the market now that are penetrating and breathable. This link is an example of one such product: http://appliedtechnologies.com/pages/content/masonry_brick_sealer.html
For detailed technical notes on a wide range of issues, visit the Brick Industry Association’s website. In your case, review #6A-Colorless Coatings for Brick Masonry: http://www.gobrick.com/html/frmset_thnt.htm
Posted by: vinca at November 1, 2009 11:00 AM
Thanks for the feedback - especially VINCA, very helpful.
Posted by: printpants at November 21, 2009 3:16 PM
Post a comment
Please be patient while your comment is published. It may take a moment.