How to fill gaps between brickwork and doorframes and eaves?

[akk]

Exciting to be sharing your first blog post on the Bunnings Workshop website! My home is two years old, and I’ve noticed gaps between the brickwork and door frames/eaves. I’m keen to understand whether these gaps should be filled or left as they are. I’ve attached photos for reference—any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[EricL]

Hello @akk 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about the gaps in your house.

The gaps don't appear to be too severe, and I don't think it's necessary to fill them in. However, you do have the option to fill the gaps if you wish to, I suggest using Selleys 430g White No More Gaps Exterior Gap Filler. It can be used on gaps up to a width of 10mm and depth of 5mm. It has superior flexibility to cope with building movement, hiding gaps for a longer period of time. It's suitable for use on timber and synthetic weatherboards, as well as brick and concrete, masonry, ceramic tiles, glass and aluminium.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Dave-1]

Good Evening @akk 

Nice first post and yeah I think its a fair ask. (Really any questions are ) Like @EricL, I feel that the gaps are not particulary wide or concerning. And yep like him I would suggest such a product. However practice on something else before you have a go if you go this route, and I mean a fair amount of practice with rough surface, small gap and smooth surface. I just did my skirting boards to the plaster wall and that was stressy and in reality I do that so infrequently its not 100% but you get my drift. It will stand out more on brickwork.

Dave

[Nailbag]

Hi @akk,

This is a normal finish for both the door frame and eve. The trim against the bricks is more noticeable because the ends of the bricks are never perfectly aligned on the ends.

Definitely don't touch the eve, but you could fill the door frame one if its really bugging you, but you would be introducing a 3rd colour between the brick and timber trim, which might look worse. I would go as dark brown as possible and don't match the grey brick. 

Nailbag

[akk]

Thank you everyone for your valuable suggestions.

Is there a safe way to seal the gaps between bricks and eaves to prevent insects from using them as entry points?

Regards
AKK 

[Dave-1]

Evening @akk 

Ummmm Two ways come to mind, both I wouldreally not worry about and will explain in a sec.

- Remove the beading from the edge of the eave, silastic the edge and then replace the beading.

- Push a course foam material up between the gap with a metal ruler, blocking it and hiding the material.

Now for the reason I wouldnt worry about it, your roof will have a fair amount (Loads) of holes that you wont be able to get to that bugs could enter the roof cavity (They really dont bother mostly) If you have a tile roof, a late model house you will still have gaps aroundthe edge of the guttering, A tin roof will be the same. 

As a side note, I go around and scrape off any bug cocoons that I find (usually at my front door area with the outside light) but really dont get many of them either.

Dave

[MitchellMc]

Hi @akk,

I agree with @Dave-1 that it's likely not something to worry about, as although insects could travel through the gap, they are unlikely to use it as an access route to the interior of your home. If you're concerned, I'd spray the area once every nine months with an outdoor barrier insect surface spray.

As Dave mentioned, you might be able to compress and push Moroday 6mm x 5m White Gap Filler Rod up into the gap with a scraper.

Mitchell