Damp eroded mortar below damp course

[bendeee]

Hi there.

I moved into this house this time last year.

I noticed this this year (see pics). The mortar is wet and soft to touch, feels like wet clay, and is eroding/washing away, under the damp course.

We had some similar problems with the roof mortar, so I'm guessing its the same bad mix by whoever built it.
It's around most of the property, which is fairly sizeable, so I'm guessing/hoping it's not a drainage problem.

I had an extensive survey done, and nothing came up with the damp course, so again, hoping its not as serious as it looks.

I have the following questions if any of you guys can help:

-Is it normal for the bricks under the damp course to be damp like that? I assume yes - which is the point of the damp course.

-Im happy to rake out and/or re-point with decent concrete. My worry is- is the erosion happening on the inside too? Or is the erosion due to external elements and the inside should be fine as its protected. You see my point (pardon the pun) , If I replace the outside, and the inside continues to erode, the brick will end up only having mortar 3cm in from the outside face.

-I think ive found the correct mortar mix ratios, but I'll take any advice you have

Many thanks Ben

 

[foxhole]

Internally possible concrete foundation so ok inside .

 

[Koolpc]

You could check to see if water is not pooling by those bricks under the gravel. If it is then you will need to remedy that.

 

[noseall]

Hi there.

I moved into this house this time last year.

I noticed this this year (see pics). The mortar is wet and soft to touch, feels like wet clay, and is eroding/washing away, under the damp course.

We had some similar problems with the roof mortar, so I'm guessing its the same bad mix by whoever built it.
It's around most of the property, which is fairly sizeable, so I'm guessing/hoping it's not a drainage problem.

I had an extensive survey done, and nothing came up with the damp course, so again, hoping its not as serious as it looks.

I have the following questions if any of you guys can help:

-Is it normal for the bricks under the damp course to be damp like that? I assume yes - which is the point of the damp course.

-Im happy to rake out and/or re-point with decent concrete. My worry is- is the erosion happening on the inside too? Or is the erosion due to external elements and the inside should be fine as its protected. You see my point (pardon the pun) , If I replace the outside, and the inside continues to erode, the brick will end up only having mortar 3cm in from the outside face.

-I think ive found the correct mortar mix ratios, but I'll take any advice you have

Many thanks Ben

I can't see anything wrong or unusual other than a need for a wee bit of sympathetic re-pointing.