Crumbling/soft bricks and mortar

[Olitaylor]

Hi,

My house is a semi built circa 1900. ON the external wall, and the exposed party wall in the loft, I can see some bricks that appear to have draded to the point where I can crumble of bits of brick with my fingers. This has also happened with some of the mortar joints. I have heard that this is quite normal for a house of this age as they used soft bricks and lime mortar, and it's nothing to worry about. Indeed most of the houses on my street have evidence of the brick faces crumbling away, and soft mortar.

My question is when does this become a problem, and what can I do about it/what should I do about it?

 

[Fluffster]

In the short term apply a clear water reppellant chemical to protect what is left. Then look at getting it repointed with the odd brick in a really bad state replaced.
Pete