Leaks Through Split Face Block Walls
Split face block is a variation of concrete block, otherwise known as CMU (cement masonry units) or even “cinder block”. The split-face variety has an irregular exterior face designed to look like chiseled stone, and the effect works, sort of. Split face has a warm appearance that is far more attractive than common brick. In fact, if I was blind, I would say it looks exactly like chiseled stone.
For reasons of attractiveness and economy, literally hundreds of developers in the past 30 years chose split face block as their exterior wall material for the sides and backs of 3 flats, 6 flats and other multi-unit residential buildings. They generally used higher quality glazed brick on the front of the buildings, resulting in fewer leaks there.
It’s easy to trash split face block as a “bad” material and to condemn the developers as greedy and evil. But from what we see, these developers try to put together a decent product. They don’t want problems. They used nice exterior design and decent interior finishes. Unfortunately, they sometimes appear to be ignorant of certain fundamentals of façade construction. And if they are ignorant, maybe it is actually their architects who are to blame. Whomever deserves blame for the split face block fiasco, the unfortunate current owners are left holding the soggy bag.
Read more about leaks in split face block walls, and see the water test video here:
