Advice About Brick Work on Bay Wall All manner of questions and solutions to problems and issues surrounding the subject of brickwork, blockwork and stonework

[boxy911]

Hi,

The photos are the front bay wall to my dads house. It's like this right the way across. Is it possible to repair the wall using pointing and rendering? Or is it beyond repair?

I ask as we have little money so could do with repairing it rather than the cost of replacing it all.

Thanks so much,

Adam

[DocMartin]

I have to wonder what happened to all the original mortar? Where's it all gone?! First of all, repointing would of course be better than what you have there. However, it would be next to impossible to get a decent amount of mortar in there and do a satisfactory job. Some of the bricks look as though they've 'walked' a bit as well. Are these bricks supporting any load or can you pull them out freely?

If the weight of the bay is carried by something else - like like the windowsill or, I see something like a concrete lintel? in the photo, then you could draw the bricks out a few at a time in groups and re-lay them, as they'll have no weight on them. Very tedious though. Getting the mortar in the space at the top of the last brick layer to go back in is tricky too - you typically need to make a stiffish mix and pack it in the gap as you have no space to work of course.

Need more info really...