We live in a semi-detached Edwardian(1901) house in London which is
made from old yellow stock bricks. The pointing at the front and back
appear fine but the pinting in the alleyway is not so good in parts,
ie if I scrape at it with a screwdriver it is soft and brittle and
falls out. It's not one particular patch that's bad it's quite random.
I'm only checking the bottom 10 feet. The alleyway is about 2.5 feet
wide and is quite sheltered so this wall doesn't get a lot of rain.

How does one decide if it needs doing? If I get a brickie around to
have a look the chances are he will claim it needs doing immediately.
As we may move in the next few years I'd rather not do it immediately.
Any suggestions appreciated.