Hello all,
I was recently out gardening and realised a few things that seemingly need to be done that involve brickwork so please bare with me while I lay it all out (pardon the pun).
I noticed that there are a few spots of the pointing are coming away around my brickwork and also the steps leading up to my front door have made a noise for some time now when you step on them. Upon further inspection I have also noticed a few loose bricks and it looks like the bottom step is popping out a little. It has made the noise for years so I am not sure if I am just noticing this brickwork now that has been like this for years or if this is a new development. So here are my list of questions:
1: How badly does the pointing need be repaired?
2: The pointing seems to be a little reddish. Is this just normal mortar that has been stained over time or has some sort of dyed mortar been used?
3: Is the step safe or will it come out?
4: Can anyone give me a guide price as to how much these jobs would cost? (To repair the pointing and to secure the step back into place.)
I only ask because a guy quoted me £2000 and I told him where to go! I cannot afford to have the steps replaced so all the materials (or most of them) are there already. I just need it moved back into place.