I recently had my front stairs expanded and replaced with new matching bricks, while the original bricks have lasted over 40 years without any issues. However, I've noticed that the newly laid bricks are developing strange pock marks all over them. We had a rare snow recently, which I'm wondering might have contributed to this issue, especially since we haven't used the front porch much due to construction. I'm concerned and would like advice on what might be causing this. Here's a link to some photos for reference: https://imgur.com/a/jqQMBor.
3 Answers
It looks like the mortar job was done pretty badly. Moisture can seep into the bricks and, combined with freeze-thaw cycles, that can lead to the damage you’re seeing. Make sure the bricks are properly sealed to avoid these issues in the future.
Those bricks don’t appear to be the right kind for pavers; they should have a smoother finish to avoid issues like puddling and spalling. Plus, it sounds like your mason might have cut corners on the materials used too.
I read somewhere that older bricks need softer mortar. If the bricks are softer than the mortar, they tend to expand and crack. That might be part of the problem you're facing.