We are just about to start our new build house, the builder is
supplying labour and us the materials. Foundations are due to start in
2 weeks, builder has asked for a small qty of bricks to edge the raft
foundations to 3 courses(to damp). I have seem these done in
engineering bricks on sites before, with standard finishing bricks on
top, I have also seen standard facing bricks all the way down....
Aesthetically it surely looks better if the bricks are all the same,
so I'm guessing this has something to do with the strength and other
qualities of the engineering bricks? If this is the case why is it
optional... my architect and LA regs haven't mentioned them?

Thanks.

In an earlier contribution to this discussion,
mayday wrote:

We are just about to start our new build house, the builder is
supplying labour and us the materials. Foundations are due to start in
2 weeks, builder has asked for a small qty of bricks to edge the raft
foundations to 3 courses(to damp). I have seem these done in
engineering bricks on sites before, with standard finishing bricks on
top, I have also seen standard facing bricks all the way down....
Aesthetically it surely looks better if the bricks are all the same,
so I'm guessing this has something to do with the strength and other
qualities of the engineering bricks? If this is the case why is it
optional... my architect and LA regs haven't mentioned them?

Thanks.

You need at least semi-engineering bricks below the DPC. Ordinary bricks
will soak up moisture and be prone to frost damage.
--
Cheers,
Roger
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Roger Mills wrote:
In an earlier contribution to this discussion,
mayday wrote:

We are just about to start our new build house, the builder is
supplying labour and us the materials. Foundations are due to start in
2 weeks, builder has asked for a small qty of bricks to edge the raft
foundations to 3 courses(to damp). I have seem these done in
engineering bricks on sites before, with standard finishing bricks on
top, I have also seen standard facing bricks all the way down....
Aesthetically it surely looks better if the bricks are all the same,
so I'm guessing this has something to do with the strength and other
qualities of the engineering bricks? If this is the case why is it
optional... my architect and LA regs haven't mentioned them?

Thanks.

You need at least semi-engineering bricks below the DPC. Ordinary bricks
will soak up moisture and be prone to frost damage.

To some extent you can alleviate that by giving the bricks a waterproof
coat below ground, but I would not bet on it.

A lot depends on where you are and where your wall is. North facing
walls in frost hollows in the North? forget it. Darn Sarf with a
sheltered location near the coast. Probably unlikely to ever get a good
frosting.

Consider concrete blocks up to damp level, at least on the inner side of
a double wall. Cheap and tough.

To edge the raft, below floor level, I would use engineering.
o Standard blow off in hard frost, damp, in sheltered area
o Standard blow off if any roof/guttering leak in a hard frost

I know the latter from experience and Warrington imbeciles
who fitting guttering with more leaks than it had originally.

If you have to replace a brick it involves Armeg chisel each
one out, mortar in a new, one by one, over a period of time.


Concrete block is probably acceptable, but are engineering
that much more for 3 courses - it should bluntly be bugger all
cost compared to the price of a raft (which is vastly more).

Standard bricks can be as porous as a sponge.
--
DB.

Thanks to all who responded, makes sense, I think I'll go with
engineering bricks!

"Roger Mills" wrote in message
...
In an earlier contribution to this discussion,
mayday wrote:


You need at least semi-engineering bricks below the DPC. Ordinary bricks
will soak up moisture and be prone to frost damage.



I have built 3 houses, never been required by Bld regs to use engineering or
semi-engineering below DPC.
While going through college worked on a building site every holiday .. and
that means dozens of houses - again none of them required engineering
bricks.

Below ground level may be a different matter ... but in my part of the world
same bricks used below DPC as above it, on all above ground work.

"mayday" wrote in message
oups.com...
We are just about to start our new build house, the builder is
supplying labour and us the materials. Foundations are due to start in
2 weeks, builder has asked for a small qty of bricks to edge the raft
foundations to 3 courses(to damp). I have seem these done in
engineering bricks on sites before, with standard finishing bricks on
top, I have also seen standard facing bricks all the way down....
Aesthetically it surely looks better if the bricks are all the same,
so I'm guessing this has something to do with the strength and other
qualities of the engineering bricks? If this is the case why is it
optional... my architect and LA regs haven't mentioned them?

Concrete

On 22 Oct, 22:15, mayday wrote:
We are just about to start our new build house, the builder is
supplying labour and us the materials. Foundations are due to start in
2 weeks, builder has asked for a small qty of bricks to edge the raft
foundations to 3 courses(to damp). I have seem these done in
engineering bricks on sites before, with standard finishing bricks on
top, I have also seen standard facing bricks all the way down....
Aesthetically it surely looks better if the bricks are all the same,
so I'm guessing this has something to do with the strength and other
qualities of the engineering bricks? If this is the case why is it
optional... my architect and LA regs haven't mentioned them?

Thanks.

Check prices if I were you - eng bricks are often cheaper than pretty
facing bricks. Use a stronger mortar mix that is less 'wet' or they'll
float around, less suction see 'cos the are less porous.

Phil.