Missing motar below damp course

[AFT4B]

Hi all,

We’ve had an extension built and due to the weather/ competing proprieties the garden level was left a bit high until now. I noticed a bit of damp on the outside wall so this week we have started to clear the soil and make sure the levels are correct to build back up to a patio. i.e. 150mm off damp course by exposing around 4 bricks to start with.

I have noticed that the first couple of courses which sit on the foundation have a fair few holes where mortar is missing – seemingly the bricklayer thought this wouldn’t be seen and didn’t make an effort on tidiness.

Would I be okay just to go in point all this up – thinking about doing it myself as it doesn’t need to be particularly tidy and will get covered. Or do I have to be mindful of any other issues here?

 

[23vc]

Yeah, plug a load of mortar in. Those first courses are often a lot of adjustment from a concrete foundation that’s not bang on level, to get it spot on where it’s seen above ground. But should still have full perps and no gaps.

 

[AFT4B]

Thanks - so would you suggest just washing the brick back/ cleaning off the mud and filling the gaps as best as possible?

I am a bit concerned that I may only be filling the front of the gaps and damp could rise from the bottom where unfilled - is that a valid concern?

 

[noseall]

Thanks - so would you suggest just washing the brick back/ cleaning off the mud and filling the gaps as best as possible?

I am a bit concerned that I may only be filling the front of the gaps and damp could rise from the bottom where unfilled - is that a valid concern?

It matters not that the bricks/masonry below DPC is wet. It's expected. What would be concerning is the presence of damp above DPC. Is that the case here?

 

[AFT4B]

It matters not that the bricks/masonry below DPC is wet. It's expected. What would be concerning is the presence of damp above DPC. Is that the case here?

Until this week - yes! but I believe this may be because the soil level was sitting way too close to the DPC? Previously only 1-1.5 brick was exposed AND we also had a period with no gutters installed. You can see where those engineering bricks are dirty and to the far right of the photo.

Wasn't a good way to leave things for any period of time but unfortunately had a hard time convincing the general builder to clear all the soil and building leftover from the garden

So I plan to clean off those bricks/ dampness, mortar the missed areas and put down some MOT which should still expose about 2.5 bricks - as a ready base for the patio. I'm hoping that will give me a good idea of any bigger issues (before I lay the patio next year)?

 

[AFT4B]

So I plan to clean off those bricks/ dampness, mortar the missed areas and put down some MOT which should still expose about 2.5 bricks - as a ready base for the patio. I'm hoping that will give me a good idea of any bigger issues (before I lay the patio next year)?

welcome any thoughts on whether this is the best/ right way to go from here?

 

[23vc]

Sounds fine