ᐅ Bricks in the Exterior Wall Are Crumbling – Seeking Possible Causes

In the basement of my house (approximately 70 years old), there are some walls made of red brick. I have noticed that these bricks are showing significant cracking and the surface is practically disintegrating. The bricks seem to be crumbling. What is causing this, and how can I stop it?

This deterioration of the bricks is caused by moisture. The basement will not be waterproofed from the outside, allowing water to penetrate; it does not need to be a large amount, consistent dampness over decades is enough. The best solution would be to waterproof the basement walls from the outside. Since this is often not possible afterward (for example, if the house is not completely detached), there are injection and consolidation methods that specialized companies can perform. If you search for "brick consolidation" online, you will find quite a bit of information on the topic.