Hi all - and firstly apologies if this is in the wrong place but hopefully addresses my question!
We've recently had a loft conversion done, and as part of this, have put aside a section of the eaves for storage.
The builders have plasterboarded out most of the eaves area, but have left the brick walls (party walls on both sides) exposed.
Ordinarily I wouldn't have an issue, but the mortar is in poor shape, and becomes very crumbly and dusty when touched.
A few questions:
1) Does the original mortar look like lime mortar (from what I've read, this is likely in a 1910-1920s house)?
2) It seems like the bricklayers when putting the new RSJ in have repointed in small sections - but seems as though regular mortar has been used - is this likely to be a problem in these small sections?
3) How best to "seal" the wall against more dust and dirt? Originally I'd thought about using a stabilising solution and painting over, but from having read more, believe that the walls may need to breathe? If this is the case, would a lime mortar render (and perhaps a whitewash after) be the best bet?
Apologies for the lengthy post - any advice very gratefully received!
We've recently had a loft conversion done, and as part of this, have put aside a section of the eaves for storage.
The builders have plasterboarded out most of the eaves area, but have left the brick walls (party walls on both sides) exposed.
Ordinarily I wouldn't have an issue, but the mortar is in poor shape, and becomes very crumbly and dusty when touched.
A few questions:
1) Does the original mortar look like lime mortar (from what I've read, this is likely in a 1910-1920s house)?
2) It seems like the bricklayers when putting the new RSJ in have repointed in small sections - but seems as though regular mortar has been used - is this likely to be a problem in these small sections?
3) How best to "seal" the wall against more dust and dirt? Originally I'd thought about using a stabilising solution and painting over, but from having read more, believe that the walls may need to breathe? If this is the case, would a lime mortar render (and perhaps a whitewash after) be the best bet?
Apologies for the lengthy post - any advice very gratefully received!