Hi all,
We have an older home (moved to the present location in the 1920's). The basement walls are made from cut fieldstone, and are quite thick (between 18" and 24"). The problem is that the mortar is starting to disintegrate, and it's getting worse as time goes on. You can literally remove it from between the stones with your finger, and it's like sand.
We have lived in this home since 1998, and have only had water issues three times: once, during a very heavy rainstorm, and the downspout extensions weren't put back in place (hmmm... who mowed that day?). The other two times were during spring thaw, after very high snowfall. The snowmelt was coming through the rocks a couple of feet off of the floor (about 6 feet below ground level). There is no sump pump or drain tile in the foundation, and all of these issues have happened in exactly the same spot in the basement (luckily, the lowest spot in the basement, under the coal chute where the coal storage used to be), so everything was very manageable, though still a pain.
I am concerned about the mortar and the future of my foundation, not to mention the cost to repair this. Are there any simple, modern fixes for this problem? Is it a common problem that has an accepted solution?
I have also noticed that the cement floor has started to heave in quite a few places, though, it's covered with carpet, so I can't see the total damage, and frankly, I'm afraid to remove the carpet and face the truth!
Thanks!
Alex
We have an older home (moved to the present location in the 1920's). The basement walls are made from cut fieldstone, and are quite thick (between 18" and 24"). The problem is that the mortar is starting to disintegrate, and it's getting worse as time goes on. You can literally remove it from between the stones with your finger, and it's like sand.
We have lived in this home since 1998, and have only had water issues three times: once, during a very heavy rainstorm, and the downspout extensions weren't put back in place (hmmm... who mowed that day?). The other two times were during spring thaw, after very high snowfall. The snowmelt was coming through the rocks a couple of feet off of the floor (about 6 feet below ground level). There is no sump pump or drain tile in the foundation, and all of these issues have happened in exactly the same spot in the basement (luckily, the lowest spot in the basement, under the coal chute where the coal storage used to be), so everything was very manageable, though still a pain.
I am concerned about the mortar and the future of my foundation, not to mention the cost to repair this. Are there any simple, modern fixes for this problem? Is it a common problem that has an accepted solution?
I have also noticed that the cement floor has started to heave in quite a few places, though, it's covered with carpet, so I can't see the total damage, and frankly, I'm afraid to remove the carpet and face the truth!
Thanks!
Alex