Gaps in corners of bay

[PMossa1976]

Hi all. I’m intending to buy a detached 1940s house that looks fairly sound generally but in the downstairs bay gaps have formed between the downstairs bay and the side walls. Current owners have tried to fill with mortar. I attach photos - is this something I should be worried about and is it easy to fix? Thank you

 

[noseall]

Hi all. I’m intending to buy a detached 1940s house that looks fairly sound generally but in the downstairs bay gaps have formed between the downstairs bay and the side walls. Current owners have tried to fill with mortar. I attach photos - is this something I should be worried about and is it easy to fix? Thank you

There's not much there to actually fix. It looks like poor bonding/tying-in and even worse remedying.

The issue is the vertical crack and water getting in. I'd be minded to start with raking the bed joints first, then see what daubed compo remains and try and carefully remove that. Then re-point with care.

 

[PMossa1976]

Thank you, reassuring. Much appreciated

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

Give it all a good scrub with paint stripper and brick acid, completely clear out the vertical break between the bay and main wall. Get rid of all that mess. Repoint any horizontal bed joints that need it.

Then apply a very neat vertical line of buff flexible sealant into the crack, e.g....

Silicone 825

• +/- 35% flexibility • Used for expansion joints• Neutral cure • Conforms to ISO 11600 Class: F25LM & G25LM• Interior and exterior use Typically used for expansion joints to stone, brick, concrete and composite panels, perimeter pointing on window and door frames, weatherproof sealing to most...

www.toolstation.com

I'd put a straight edge up to it then use masking tape either side of the line first, as you'll never remove any over-splurge from the brick faces. Keep it as narrow as possible, while covering the joint. You may need the odd artistic wobble, it's a compromise.

Then neatly tool it using a Cramer or similar tooling kit. You may need to modify one of the tools to give a reasonable fit for the angle, they're intended for use in right angled corners. Or just use one of the curved profiles twice, once from each side.

 

[PMossa1976]

Fantastic, thanks so much for this advice, really helpful. Gives me confidence I can do it myself