Loose brickwork- plaster joints?!

[Screech20]

Hey guys, first post here so please go easy

So we got our keys last week and started stripping out to re decorate.

I came across a few loose bricks and cracking walls.

I thought it could be wall ties, but I've been assured, by a specialist it won't be that.

Tonight, stripping a wall, some plaster cracked and came away and I noticed the brick behind it was loose, I revealed the whole brick, and it seems its been set using plaster.

So I chased that whole row of bricks (top of wall) and its the same along the whole wall, around the corner, and all the way along the next wall, above a window?!

So now I'm wondering, has brick morta ever been the pinky colour like plaster or has this been bodged up?

I've called some building to come have a look but this has really made me just wanna not bother carrying on for now!

Ill grab some pics and will put them up a bit later.


Any help would be much appreciated.

Cheers

 

[dann09]

Post your pics please, in detail & of the general situation. Most cracking is not too serious, so dont be alarmed.

Which room is this - lounge, bedroom etc ?

Any cracking on the exterior?

Is the exterior plain brickwork or render etc. ?

Are the walls cavity or solid.

It might pay you to closely examine all the interior and exterior walls for cracks or bulges.

To test your gypsum plaster theory, go outside and, using a nail say, dig and scratch a mortar joint. Now try the same on the interior "pinky" stuff. Any difference?

 

[Screech20]

Ill try posting the pics later.

The 2 rooms we've started are the lounge and main bedroom, my main concern is the lounge though problems in both (and probably the room we've not touched yet)

Exterior is rendered pebbledash, with a bit of cracking but was told at survey was nothing to worry about.

Wall are cavity, with insulation.

The walls don't seem to be bulging.

The pinky joints come away with a wallpaper scraper, so surely too soft.

It's a bungalow by the way.


Cheers.