Pointing repairs

[davidm1969]

Hi I've bought a property, the survey said minor pointing repairs needed, had a 'specialist' company round specialist in exterior decorating and brickwork, who said whole wall needs repointing (2.5k plus cost of scaffolding C. 35m2 in South london). The guy didn't even go up a ladder to feel the condition of current pointing

I get that there are gaps in the mortar in places (next to downpipe high up) which def need repair but elsewhere the mortar seems solid and is not soft/crumbly to the touch (where I can reach it by reaching out my windows and also down at ground level). I'd have thought higher up and nearer the far end is more exposed hence that's where the mortar gaps are?

So my questions for the experts here are

a) does the whole wall need repointing or will some repairs where there are gaps suffice? Is the 'specialist' company just trying to sell unnecessary work

b) what should I be asking/expecting somebody to do to assess what is needed? (I maybe wrongly assumed they ought to go up a ladder and check the pointing in a few places before advising what's needed but would they be able to say just from photos?)

Thanks a lot in anticipation

david

 

[jj4091]

I'm not an expert but I think I would be wanting to get a few general builders to give estimates for more than just pointing. I hope I'm wrong but from your pics it looks like the gutters are not collecting the rainwater off the roof which means it will just run down the walls and over time may damage pointing and may even cause damp. Your pics to me look like you have a 9 inch solid wall with no cavity. If that is the case then having a waterproof render over the whole wall might be a better thing to do once you have sorted the gutters and facia boards. As I say I am just going by your pics. and you really need to get several differnt opinions about what work needs doing, but it looks like more than just a bit of pointing.

 

[davidm1969]

I'm not an expert but I think I would be wanting to get a few general builders to give estimates for more than just pointing. I hope I'm wrong but from your pics it looks like the gutters are not collecting the rainwater off the roof which means it will just run down the walls and over time may damage pointing and may even cause damp. Your pics to me look like you have a 9 inch solid wall with no cavity. If that is the case then having a waterproof render over the whole wall might be a better thing to do once you have sorted the gutters and facia boards. As I say I am just going by your pics. and you really need to get several differnt opinions about what work needs doing, but it looks like more than just a bit of pointing.

Thanks we did have a problem with guttering before because there was some stuff accumulated in it but now cleared it out (using a docapole from window above) and gutters all working fine

 

[Odds]

I can see a cracked brick behind the gutter and a few loose here and there near the top but i wouldn't call for the whole lot to be done.
@noseall would be able to cast an expert eye...

 

[^woody^]

Never, ever get an inspection/quote from a firm that would benefit from the work they may recommend.

If you are unsure of the scope and type of work required get it inspected by a building surveyor or other suitably qualified independent person.