Brickwork concerns

[beatts]

Hi,

Could someone please advise what is causing this. About three courses of bricks along the gable end of my house are covered in thick salty deposits and the mortar is literally falling out between bricks when brushed.

It hasn't progressed to the front and the back has been extended with different bricks so isn't apparent there, just on this one side.

Obviously I will need to repoint the area but what has caused it in the first place?

Thanks in advance.

 

[^woody^]

That whole bottom 800mm seems damp.

Chimney?

Drips from roof?

 

[beatts]

The chimney is on the other side of the house and the roof is fine. The bottom course's of bricks are OK, it's just those few rows.

 

[^woody^]

The length of the wall looks visibly damp up to around 11 courses , that would explain the efflorescence.

Otherwise the eroded joints would be a cause of the efflorescence, not a symptom.

 

[beatts]

Thanks, I see what you mean but I think it's the lighting. I'll get a better pic tomorrow.

So it is possible that joint erosion has caused the efflorescence.
?

I wonder what caused the joint erosion in the 1st place.?

 

[beatts]

The lower few course have been repointed with a cement Mortar at some point, by the looks of it. Could this cause problems with all the other courses being Lime Mortar. The problem seems to occur where the cement Mortar stops.