So after some water ingress from above my front door, I've been out to investigate and, quite frankly, I'm amazed it hasn't leaked before!
So, above the door there is a row of horizontal bricks, above which appears to be two rows of tiles... and then some pointing at 45deg on top. The bottom row of tiles appear to be full tiles which I assume protrude the full depth of the wall and the top row appear to have been cut in half as they only protrude backwards about 3-4 inches (I know this because they are completely loose and can be pulled out!)
First of all, I don't understand how any of this actually supports the wall above? Every house on the street has the same structure so I presume it's fine but it baffles me really!
Secondly, I need to do something! So...
1) The bricks appear to be solid but the pointing is completely shot as demonstrated by the pictures. It looks like the entire house, including this, has been "buttered up" to a fairly poor standard in the past and this is flaking off largely.
2) The tiles appear to be largely loose as the mortar is no longer adhering to them. I've attached a picture with one of them removed to demonstrate. (I didn't want to remove them all at once as I wasn't sure how much they would be supporting, but they're all pretty loose)
I propose to grind out the mortar from the bricks above the door, and the first few courses above, and repoint. (I want to do the rest of the house at some point but that can wait until later!) How deep should I grind out?
The tiles obviously also need to come out, have the mortar removed, and be refitted. Firstly, how many am I safe to remove at once? Obviously the more I take out the easier it will be to work, but I don't want to risk anything structurally!
What cement mix should I use for a) the pointing, b) the tapered "run-off" on top?
Anything else I should be aware of?
So, above the door there is a row of horizontal bricks, above which appears to be two rows of tiles... and then some pointing at 45deg on top. The bottom row of tiles appear to be full tiles which I assume protrude the full depth of the wall and the top row appear to have been cut in half as they only protrude backwards about 3-4 inches (I know this because they are completely loose and can be pulled out!)
First of all, I don't understand how any of this actually supports the wall above? Every house on the street has the same structure so I presume it's fine but it baffles me really!
Secondly, I need to do something! So...
1) The bricks appear to be solid but the pointing is completely shot as demonstrated by the pictures. It looks like the entire house, including this, has been "buttered up" to a fairly poor standard in the past and this is flaking off largely.
2) The tiles appear to be largely loose as the mortar is no longer adhering to them. I've attached a picture with one of them removed to demonstrate. (I didn't want to remove them all at once as I wasn't sure how much they would be supporting, but they're all pretty loose)
I propose to grind out the mortar from the bricks above the door, and the first few courses above, and repoint. (I want to do the rest of the house at some point but that can wait until later!) How deep should I grind out?
The tiles obviously also need to come out, have the mortar removed, and be refitted. Firstly, how many am I safe to remove at once? Obviously the more I take out the easier it will be to work, but I don't want to risk anything structurally!
What cement mix should I use for a) the pointing, b) the tapered "run-off" on top?
Anything else I should be aware of?