Mortar Crumbling Between Bricks
Mortar joints that are cracking, falling out, or crumbling away, leaving the brickwork exposed.
What Is Causing This?
- 1Decades of weathering and frost erosion
- 2Mortar mix that was too weak or too strong for the bricks
- 3Water running down the wall face accelerating erosion
How Urgent Is This?
This should be fixed in the coming weeks. Leaving it may allow the problem to worsen and cost more to repair.
What Needs to Be Done
A bricklayer will rake out all loose mortar to a depth of at least 15mm and repoint with mortar matched to the original in colour and strength.
How Much Will It Cost?
National average estimate
Labour: £608 – £1,617 | Materials: £402 – £1,205
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Ask a QuestionPlanning Permission Guidance
Some fixes for this problem may require planning permission or building regulations approval. Check if your project needs permission:
How to Prevent This
Repoint as soon as you notice loose mortar. Use lime mortar on pre-1920s buildings. Keep gutters clear to prevent water running down walls.
Related Problems
The mortar between bricks is cracking, crumbling, or falling out, leaving gaps in the brickwork.
Bricks that are flaking, crumbling, or breaking apart on the face, particularly on exposed walls.
Damp, dark, or stained areas appearing on an exterior brick wall, especially after rain.
Other Bricklayer Problems
Bricks that are flaking, crumbling, or breaking apart on the face, particularly on exposed walls.
Individual bricks with cracks running through them, sometimes in a pattern across multiple bricks.
Damp, dark, or stained areas appearing on an exterior brick wall, especially after rain.
A brick wall that has tilted or is leaning away from its original vertical position.