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Hello, everyone.
I've seen cracking and disintegrating at the bottom of my external brick wall, where the bricks meet the concrete footing. In some sections, the render/mortar is broken and slightly hollow, while in others, I can fit my finger between the brick and the concrete base.
I have attached photographs that show:
Horizontal cracking on the mortar line
Vertical fissures on the corner.
Areas where the render sounds hollow when tapped.
Minor white residue and degradation at the base.
I
am not sure what is causing this. Possible things I'm considering:
Water coming in from rain or poor drainage
Old or failed renders and mortars
Normal home movement and settlement.
Efflorescence or moisture passing through the concrete
My primary questions are:
What's the most likely cause of this issue?
Is this cosmetic or structural, and should I be concerned?
What is the proper technique to repair it?
Should I remove any loose material and replace it using repair mortar?
Do I need to apply a waterproofing or sealant after patching?
Is flexible exterior sealant a better option than cement in this case?
Which Bunnings items would you recommend for this repair?
I'm hoping for a DIY solution, but I don't want to merely cover it up if moisture is the main problem.
Any advice is much appreciated. Thank you in advance.
