Groundwork & Foundations

Victorian cellar - recommended maintenance for walls, or does it need urgent attention?

Anonymous user 01/03/2024 - 2.49 PM

My victorian mid-terrace has an original cellar which doesn't flood but has a wet 'sheen' to the concrete floor at times. I'm guessing groundwater, although it seems to occur randomly (and I don't think it's due any leaks/drains). Walls have some form of thick whitewash (Is this limewash? How can I tell?) which looks like it was applied a long time ago. Lots of it is perfectly fine but several areas have very dirty whitewash, some stains and efflorescence, and crumbly/sandy mortar between bricks, and some bricks 'feel soft' - I don't want to poke around particularly. Those affected walls have solid earth on the other side I believe (not party walls). The crumbly parts worry me, partly because mains gas/water/electricity services are mounted against these walls, but generally is this normal and structurally sound? I don't think I need or want tanking, but I would like reassurance or suggested courses of action. Is brushing out loose mortar, repointing, and repainting a meaningful remedy for peace of mind? Or is brushing out loose mortar the worst thing I could do? What's an appropriate maintenance schedule/cycle for victorian cellars?