Mortar for repointing. All manner of questions and solutions to problems and issues surrounding the subject of brickwork, blockwork and stonework

[TedPea]

Hi.
I need to repoint some brickwork inside a garage, prior to painting.
I'm wondering what type of mortar would have been used originally, and what I should use to repoint with.
I think the answer will be 'cement mortar,' but it's a single course of bricks, and from what I've read, maybe it should use a permeable lime mortar.
Inside the garage, the mortar has turned to dust on one external wall to a height of around 4 feet.
Externally, it's a similar story, though it isn't consistently crumbly on all walls.
I'm guessing that the original mortar is cement, though it's more of a beige colour, than grey.

I could ramble on further, but to cut to the quick, should I use cement mortar to repoint?

Cheers.

[stoneyboy]

Hi tedpea,
I’d recommend you use a 6:1:1 building sand, Portland cement, hydrated lime mix with additive. Rake out the loose mortar, damp the mortar line, fill with the mortar mix and tool it off once this can be done without creating a messy joint.
Regards S