Other than cavity wall insulation, why would there be replacement mortar in brick work?

davilown

As per the title, I'm purchasing a house that has 6 places where mortar has been replaced.  Its only the vertical mortar, approximately every 8 bricks in a horizontal line, 2 courses below the first floor windows.  There is a very large bay (3m+) and front door beneath.  On the inside, there is a vertical crack below the window cill.

I do have a survey booked but just wondered if anyone knew what might have been done.

Thanks
 

lincroft1710

Could be repointing.

davilown

lincroft1710 said:

Could be repointing.

Thanks but it's literally just 6 places across an entire single row of bricks.  Repointing would have been all of it?

AdrianC

Pic?

How old's the house?

greatcrested

Pictures needed. Close up and also more distant for context. Inside and out.

davilown

AdrianC said:

Pic?

How old's the house?

greatcrested said:

Pictures needed. Close up and also more distant for context. Inside and out.

Okay so not photos but a 3D tour - the outside is not quite obvious and the inside you can see the vertical crack above the radiator 

davilown

In fact, now I’ve look at this again, there are a lot more of the same front and back. Might be insulation?

greatcrested

No idea what those external marks are but they are certaily not repointing followig crack/subsidence. Personally I'd not be in the least concerned.

The crack internally in the small bedroom under the window is unrelated and probably just plaster shrinkage.

davilown

greatcrested said:

No idea what those external marks are but they are certaily not repointing followig crack/subsidence. Personally I'd not be in the least concerned.

The crack internally in the small bedroom under the window is unrelated and probably just plaster shrinkage.

Thanks for your input - really appreciated. Looking at them all I’m now thinking along the lines of insulation of some sorts