Bricks, Masonry, Asphalt and Concrete - Fixing older foundation

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WhatdidIgetinto
12-06-03, 12:22 PM
Could someone please tell me what is the best way to fix or patch the foundation on an older home? It's over 100 yrs old and the cement is starting to come out like sand.

Thanks in advance.

Tn...Andy
12-06-03, 03:38 PM
When you say "the cement is starting to come out like sand", so you mean it's coming out around brick, rock or something like that, OR do you mean a solid concrete wall is crumbling ?

How about a little help, huh ?
WhatdidIgetinto
12-06-03, 07:15 PM
Sorry! Yes, I would say that the cement is coming out from around the bricks. The foundation was at some point painted and if you push the paint covering the cement it is soft and in some areas it is falling out. It's the same way in the basement.

chfite
12-06-03, 09:44 PM
Take a look at this thread on tuck pointing.

http://forum.doityourself.com/showthread.php?threadid=151437

It addresses some of your concerns.
Tn...Andy
12-07-03, 10:01 AM
You have lime based mortar.

In the "they don't build 'em like they used too" days ( THANK GOD ) :) they didn't have Portland cement and used hydrated lime with sand as the mortar and it does not set "hard" like portand cement mortar. You can scratch the stuff out, and if it gets wet and dry enough, it will just crumble out on it's own.

Tuck pointing with modern mortar is the standard practice to cure it, but it SURE is a PITA. ( pain in the ..... ).

Welcome to "This Ole House" hehehehe