Spalling
Surface flaking or crumbling of brick, stone, or concrete. Usually caused by moisture penetration and freeze-thaw cycles or salt action.
Spalling in Adelaide is most commonly caused by salt damp working its way up through masonry, then drying and crystallising near the surface. The salt crystal growth physically pushes the surface material off.
Spalled brick or stone has lost protective surface. Without intervention (cleaning, repointing, sometimes replacement), the underlying material continues to deteriorate.
Inspectors will note spalled bricks at the base of walls, blown render, and any internal surfaces showing surface failure.
Salt damp
Salt-laden moisture wicking up from the ground into masonry walls. Visible as white crystalline efflorescence on lower courses, blown render, or paint flaking on internal walls.
Efflorescence
White crystalline deposits that appear on masonry as moisture brings salts to the surface and they crystallise there.