Sloping mortar on the brick

[esox71]

Hello,

I am currently installing new window sills. When we removed the old ones, we noticed that on the stones beneath the sills, someone had applied mortar at the same angle as the sills (image 1). "That was clever," I thought, as it reduces the space for weather elements to get in.

Unfortunately, you can also see my problem in the same image. It's too tight for the window sills because the new windows are positioned slightly lower. When I tried to chip away a bit, the mortar came off in large chunks, so I ended up removing the entire thing (see image 2). There is quite a bit of mortar where there should be an air gap, as well...

A few questions:

1. Is it common practice to do this, that is, apply sloped mortar on the stones?

2. Can I chip away the mortar around the other windows in good conscience and just install the sills?

Regards, Robert

 

[vojma]

I can't see that you have any other option... A windowsill has to be there, otherwise the moisture damage will come as ordered...

/V

 

[Staffans2000]

Question 2: Yes, absolutely!
Go ahead.
It looks like the window sill will be flush against the bricks, and then you won't have room for any mortar anyway.
A house is not watertight like a submarine. As long as it's sealed from above and diagonally from above, everything is fine and dandy!

 

[esox71]

Nice. I've gone at it with the chisel like a madman all day. At least now the metal plates are in place. Just the trim, etc. left... Thanks for the answers!