21 September 2026
Properties along the East Sussex coast face a tougher environment than inland homes. Prevailing south-westerly winds drive rain deep into masonry, and that moisture carries salt from sea spray into the bricks and joints.
As the wall dries, dissolved salts crystallise near the surface. You'll often see this as white powdery deposits (efflorescence). When crystals form just under the surface, they expand and push the face off brick and mortar — a process that steadily erodes joints and softer bricks.
Freeze–thaw adds to the damage: water trapped in open joints expands when it freezes, widening cracks a little more each winter. Once joints are open, the cycle speeds up because more water gets in.
The fix is good, well-matched pointing that sheds water while letting the wall dry out. On older seafront buildings that usually means lime mortar, which handles salts and moisture far better than dense cement. Keeping gutters and downpipes clear and dealing with failed joints early also makes a big difference. Exposed elevations are worth checking every few years.