Gap between external wall & paving stones

[Rebecca89]

Hi everyone!

We had our paving pressure washed this spring and it washed out some debris and old mortar between our external brick wall and the paving stones in front of it, as well as between the external stone steps leading up to our front door. It's a north facing wall and I'm anxious that a lot of rain will run down the gap, create damp and wash out the pointing between the bricks (it already looks like there is little mortar left between the bricks around or just below the paving).

Now I wonder what's best to do...

1. Fill with fresh mortar? Would this even stay, as there might be some natural movement between the wall and paving stones? Will it trap moisture?
2. Fill with sand or grit? This is my preferred option, as it sounds easy.
3. Try to find someone professional, as this is a bigger issue than I thought?

I've had a look through the forum and saw that similar questions have been asked but felt like none are referring to a bare-brick Victorian wall like ours. Sorry if I overlooked any threads that already give an answer to these questions.

Appreciate any replies from someone who has more experience with this than me

 

[Wayners]

Masking tape along wall and slabs leaving a gap to be filled with sand and cement.
Fill
Pull tape to leave a tidy fill. No cement staining on slabs that way.
Other option is to mastic a plastic stone coloured trim along. Use masking tape again to get straight mastic lines.
Probably ongoing maintenance every year or two required to keep it tidy. Not worth doing any more with it. Quick and easy DIY job
.