Using diluted PVA to reduce crumbling of old fireplace brickwork is not the most suitable solution, according to a building expert.
Responding to a homeowner's question in an article for the Daily Telegraph, builder Jeff Howell explained that diluted PVA is most likely a solution offered by "jobbing builders".
As an alternative for addressing crumbling brickwork, he advises homeowners to consider Watco's Wallseal which is more effective than PVA, the latter having a tendency to form a film that peels off.
Crumbling brickwork is a concern for householders who live in older properties, but care needs to be taken to avoid hindering brick breathability.
Breathability is particularly important in and around a chimney of flues, where extremes of temperature are likely to dry out moisture from bricks.
Problems with breathability can lead to cracked brickwork over time, which may threaten the integrity of flue accessories, putting properties at risk.