Bricks, Masonry, Asphalt and Concrete - brick moisture

I purchased a new house that has brick steps leading to a porch. After every rain there is a bit of water that comes fron the junction of the bottom of the brick steps where it meets the sidewalk. The mortar at the bottom of the stairs becomes damp as does about the first 3 feet of sidewalk. This mortar and sidewalk remain wet for a couple of days after mositure stays for a few days. I am not sure where the water is coming from. The house is new so the ground may have settled and there are air pockets that can hold water and after time the water has to go some where.

Any thoughts on where the water is coming from?
Are there any long term potential problems from the moisture being in the cement and mortar for an extended period of time?

Should I seal the bricks?
Does sealing the bricks cause long term damage?
Will sealing the bricks make them slippery?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks
Doug

Hi,

If you have this problem at the same time that rain, it must be a problem of ground water (Subsurface water). The ground under it couldn't absorb this water plus all that rain.

Sealer will not stop this water, it will make the problem worst because it will "enclose" the water.

First step: Ask your neighbours if they have the same problem, to know the full situation, you can share the $$$ of the solution
Second step: Call an engineer (soil and foundations) to evaluate and suggest solutions.


Good luck!!

My impression is that it is not subsurface water. Here is why. The construction is as follows. The sidewalk goes all the way to the procch. The sidewalk is about 4 inches thick. The steps are sitting on the sidewalk. About a day after it rains I go out and look at the steps and the sidewalk under the steps from the side. I can tell that the sidewalk under the steps is not wet all the way thourgh. The only part of the sidewalk that is under the steps is the top of the sidewalk where the steps meet the sidewalk. This may be some what confusing. My impression is that the bricks are absorbing moisture and since the steps are on the sidewalk the water cannot get absorbed into the ground and the path of least resistance is for the water to come out of the front of the steps.

Any further thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks