Should I worry about a few spalled bricks near my Nepean driveway?

Spalled bricks near a driveway are worth having a mason look at, but the right level of concern depends on what is actually happening at the wall. A few isolated spalled faces can point to several different conditions, and a mason at the wall can tell what is causing it and how far it has progressed.

Published Ontario contractor pricing, 2025–26 puts spalled brick replacement at about $20 to $45 per brick installed, though your quote will differ. Small jobs can carry a minimum charge, so ask about one when you contact masons.

A few things shape what the work involves and what it costs:

• How many bricks are affected and whether the damage is confined to the surface or goes deeper into the unit
• Whether the surrounding mortar joints are also deteriorating
• Whether the bricks are on a house wall, a garden wall, or a freestanding feature near the driveway
• Whether matching replacement brick is available, since colour and texture matter on a visible wall
• Whether scaffolding or a lift is needed to reach the area safely

On the question of what caused the spalling, a National Research Council building digest (CBD-30) notes that salt damage can look very similar to frost damage. A mason inspecting the wall can tell you whether the surrounding bricks need attention.

Ask for a written quote that names the number of bricks to be replaced, where matching brick comes from, how mortar colour and joint profile will be matched, and what is included for cleanup and disposal.