Hi guys
I'm new to the forum and DIY so please bear with me!
Several years ago I had decking put down. Before decking, the render was hacked off near the bottom, and the exposed brick painted black with what I assume was something bituminous. I was told the render needed hacking away to stop the damp course being bridged. To be honest I don't know if there is a DPC, I can't see evidence of one.
I've taken up some decking and the brick work looks in pretty bad shape. Some of the holes are pretty large / deep. I don't know if it was damaged taking off the render, or water penetration over the years. The decking edges were flush to the brick in some places, which I've been told could cause issues, so I've cut them back to leave a gap.
I've attached a few photos.
I have some questions I was hoping you could help with please:
1. Should I re-point / repair with a lime based mortar (house is older than 1900), or is this not recommended because if a DPC exists, it will be bridged?
2. If I do re-point / repair, would I paint over with a fresh coat of bitumen?
Even though this course of bricks is below the decking and it technically doesn't matter what the end result looks like, I would like to do a decent job and hopefully learn something very useful in the process.
Unfortunately I can't check for signs of damp inside as there are kitchen units in front.
Thanks guys, most appreciated!
Cheers
M
I'm new to the forum and DIY so please bear with me!
Several years ago I had decking put down. Before decking, the render was hacked off near the bottom, and the exposed brick painted black with what I assume was something bituminous. I was told the render needed hacking away to stop the damp course being bridged. To be honest I don't know if there is a DPC, I can't see evidence of one.
I've taken up some decking and the brick work looks in pretty bad shape. Some of the holes are pretty large / deep. I don't know if it was damaged taking off the render, or water penetration over the years. The decking edges were flush to the brick in some places, which I've been told could cause issues, so I've cut them back to leave a gap.
I've attached a few photos.
I have some questions I was hoping you could help with please:
1. Should I re-point / repair with a lime based mortar (house is older than 1900), or is this not recommended because if a DPC exists, it will be bridged?
2. If I do re-point / repair, would I paint over with a fresh coat of bitumen?
Even though this course of bricks is below the decking and it technically doesn't matter what the end result looks like, I would like to do a decent job and hopefully learn something very useful in the process.
Unfortunately I can't check for signs of damp inside as there are kitchen units in front.
Thanks guys, most appreciated!
Cheers
M
