Hi, I need advice and tips. As you can see in the picture, the bricks have deteriorated and the mortar has come loose in many places. By summer, I plan to fix it. What's the easiest way to do it? And should the first row of bricks be placed on sand, gravel, or something else? I believe it's currently on landscape fabric.
Annicka
If there is a geotextile and topsoil under the bottom course, nothing you do with the joints will likely help. It moves with frost and moisture conditions and is likely to crack every year. A cast concrete foundation or at least a properly compacted frost-resistant soil under the wall will probably be needed if the joints are to hold.
Doesn't it look that bad? It can probably stay like that until it's time to throw away the greenhouse?
Hi Stefan, what do you mean by without protection on top?
The cornerstone that has cracked suggests frost damage. The brick should not lie directly on the ground and should have a top slab or flashing that directs water drainage away from the brick. I would have plastered the brick with hydraulic lime mortar, which helps to keep external water away but allows the brick to dry.
The joints separating from the stone indicate that the ground has shifted.
But overall, I don't think the wall looks too bad considering the conditions and how exposed it is.
Stefan N said: