Clinker / facing bricks damp, not drying - defect? Procedure?

Hello dear forum community,

At our garage window (north-west orientation) and recently also at the two south-facing upper floor windows, the clinker/brick facing soaks up a lot of water (see pictures). The bricks dry very poorly or not at all, and since this occurs in very prominent spots, the visual disturbance factor is naturally very high. Our builder – who is otherwise really great – says this is normal, determined by the orientation/weather conditions, that the masonry suffers no damage from it, and that it can be fixed with the first summer temperatures by applying a clinker sealer. His further explanation for this moisture is that drip water from the roof overhangs or the garage roof cladding (HPL, zinc sheet) constantly gets onto the drip edge (external windowsill), collects there, and therefore soaks into the clinker/brick facing below the drip edge. Ergo, from his point of view, no construction defect.

Other homeowners, however, report in similar cases about incorrectly installed window seals, poorly glued vapor barriers, or other construction workmanship errors.

My concerns are mainly that

- the visual defects remain permanently (with or without sealing),
- that the rear masonry actually suffers permanently, possibly also drawing moisture inside (mold),
- that I will at least regularly get efflorescence and weathering by autumn/winter; in the worst case, the clinker will crack from severe frost, or
- that I will have to renew the sealing myself at my own expense and effort every 3-4 years, if it fulfills its purpose at all.

From my (amateur) point of view, it would be better to remedy this now if construction errors/defects are present, so as not to have to knock out the drip edge/clinker later in the construction progress and install new membranes and seals. Material costs would probably be minor, labor effort probably annoying, but manageable in scope.

I would be very happy about your opinions, assessments of causes and courses of action, etc.

Thank you very much!

Hans

The parapet of the garage looks a bit very flush, if not even inclined inward. Are you actually sure that it all comes from above? - I wouldn’t completely rule out incorrect mortar either.

The parapet of the garage looks a bit very flush-trimmed, if not even tilted inward. Are you actually sure that it all comes from above? - I wouldn't completely rule out incorrect mortar either.

Thank you, 11ant! No, I'm not sure, but it strongly looks that way to me. I haven't thought of incorrect mortar so far because there is no moisture retention in similarly oriented areas. On the other hand, the roller layers were added later and the mortar for them was freshly mixed... Any more ideas?

Other builders, on the other hand, report in similar cases about improperly installed window seals, poorly glued vapor barriers, or other construction defects.

I would not want to rule that out! On the contrary, that would be my "favorite".

I would not want to rule that out! On the contrary, it would be my "favorite."

I (unfortunately) think so too. Does anyone have experience with brick sealants? Does that actually help with the problem?

Has anyone had experience with brick sealing? Does it actually help with the problem?

I have none, but your contractor supposedly does. Since there have been summers in recent years as well, he must have been able to retrofit it for previous customers. He should show you some reference construction sites ;-)