Spalled brick repair? Anyone used this?

ChasingtheWelshdream

FAO Stuart - hoping you could advise please?

I’ve changed tack slightly and decided to turn/replace the standard bricks as I go. I figured if I’m going to the effort to repoint, I may as well go the whole hog where I can.

I’ve also repointed the base of one wall with lime (sooo different to cement mortar I’ve used in the past, steep learning curve but feeling quite proud). Just hoping I can keep it protected enough in the coming months and don’t need to re-do it come Spring!

But, I’ve hit a little snag and would like a little advice if you are willing please?

The house is 1909, solid wall, so I totally understand the need for it to breathe. But when taking out cement pointing, there appears to be a bitumen felt/hessian material for the dpc.

Some of this has crumbled away, with a few chunks coming out with when scraping the joints.

I’m not quite sure what to do now. I thought about simply sliding some plastic dpc in, but I can’t get it to overlap sufficiently. I can only slide it in sufficiently about 3/4 way. I’m unsure if there’s any point proceeding that way?

I can get some slate, but I could only butt it up and potentially end up with slivers rather than a continuous course.

On the other hand, is it so much of an issue if some parts have crumbled now that it will be mortared in lime?

There has in the past been a chemical dpc/plaster applied, according to the paperwork when we purchased, but I can’t actually see any evidence of plug holes.

I’m just looking for guidance if you have any please? 

Many thanks!

ChasingtheWelshdream

Like this. On most parts, the front inch or so has crumbled, but where I have replaced the bricks, the bitumen stuff (I assume) has obviously come out with the mortar. I can slide new dpc in, but can’t for the life of me get it to go all the way.

Also, I know I’m not supposed to mortar over the dpc and cause it to bridge. But it’s crumbled pretty much all the way along in the front end, so by just repointing as it is would bridge it? 

stuart45

Once the DPC has broken down like that, there isn't a lot you can do when replacing a few of the bricks. Slide some new in where you can. A lot of older houses had no DPC, so as long as the walls can breathe they should be OK.

ChasingtheWelshdream

Thank you so much! I have spent so long researching how to use lime until I was confident enough to give it a go, then got to the dpc part and went arghh!!!

It’s not going to get painted this side of winter now, but is looking so much better already.

 Thanks again for all your help. 

WustyRex

#StoneFXwalls or Isothermex best options

stuart45

Not on this house.