Is this normal?

[Jos]

Recently bought an older property that is definitely showing signs of age in some places (70 years old). Before we bought it, a SE told us that the mortar is not in a great condition (crumbly) but he said this is normal for a house of this era.

 

Since moving in we have had some work done to the roof and (finlock) gutters. I recently noticed that there is a gap between our gutter and our neighbours (pictured), which has led to cracking a bit further down. My question is, is the gap in the gutter supposed to be there, I originally assumed it was something intentional because it is directly over the party wall. I plan on getting someone out to do some repointing but would like to know what the gap between gutters is first.

[Temp]

Does water come out of the gap when it rains hard? If not then the ends of the gutters are probably blocked by design. I'd leave it alone.

 

I'm not entirely convinced the gap in the gutter has caused the cracking in the mortar below. Did your SE say anything about this?

[Radian]

2 hours ago, Jos said:

(finlock) gutters

So what's the condition of the lining in the gutter trench? It looks like the two sections there have a marginal overlap. This makes me think the gutter is open across the join between houses. If water can get between the linings it may find its way into the brick and subsequent freeze/thaw cycles may explain the evident leverage that's pushing the brickwork over. It seems to have been repointed at least once before but without stopping the water ingress, the joints will keep on failing after every winter.

[Jos]

I've noticed the gutters dripping before but not necessarily in this area, having said that I've not checked that bit yet whilst it's been raining. 

 

It was mentioned that there has been some repointing to the back of the house but nothing that specifically mentioned this.

[Jos]

15 hours ago, Radian said:

So what's the condition of the lining in the gutter trench? It looks like the two sections there have a marginal overlap. This makes me think the gutter is open across the join between houses. If water can get between the linings it may find its way into the brick and subsequent freeze/thaw cycles may explain the evident leverage that's pushing the brickwork over. It seems to have been repointed at least once before but without stopping the water ingress, the joints will keep on failing after every winter.

The gutters weren't in a great condition when we moved in, over the winter we had a leak come through into our bedroom hence the work to the roof (relined and then they sealed the gutters). The roofers did say the gutters were the source of that leak, come to think of it, it was in the same area but on the front of the house.

 

Since the roofers have been round I've still noticed drips coming from the gutter on the outside so am trying to ascertain what further work needs to be done.