Foundation repair

[otis24]

I have a partial basement (poured cement with rocks). The left side of my home is an addition that was built around 1970. It is above ground and has a cinder block foundation. Some settling has occured over the years. The joints of the cinder blocks have separated at one corner. What is the brst way to repair? The hardware store has cement in a tube like caulk. Liquid Nails? Silicon?

 

[Doog]

Well you need to determine if it settled once within the first 7-8 years after construction OR if it is still settling. (I am a journeyman mason). If it settled once and has stopped moving, the joints that are separated need to be cut out and then re-pointed with mortar or Portland cement. If it is still moving, the foundation may have settled or is simply not deep enough and has frost heaved and settled. It must be below the frost line which in your area is probably at least 42" below grade.

I would try having a bricklayer cut out the joints and re-pointing them and see what happens in 2-3 years since it has been so long. You may just have a small void in the foundation and it hit bottom and is Ok.

If you have any water erosion from a down spout it could be causing that as well. That would need to be repaired too.

 

[69GTX]

There are some good videos on line about repairing joints, walls, etc. The important thing is to reseal those joints before the cold weather comes in. I've found that some of the regular type N and S mortars don't hold up so well with brick/block. So putting in some portland cement to the mix could help in strength. Portland cement is stronger than your cinder blocks. 2 years ago I read up up on cement repairs and then started going around my cement foundation, steps, chimney, patio rock foundation wall, etc. Not so hard. And it's been holding up good. I'm a fan of the portland mixed with sand. Repointing cinder blocks is a periodic maintenance item. The ones I did probably hadn't been touched in 25-40 years.

 

[Pop_Rivit]

Originally Posted By: otis24
What is the brst way to repair? The hardware store has cement in a tube like caulk. Liquid Nails? Silicon?


No, no and no. First contact someone who can determine what has moved, if it's still moving, and if it needs to be stabilized. Then, if it's work you can do yourself then by all means fix it, and fix it right. Hint: Foundation repair isn't done with liquid nails or silicon in a tube.

A foundation isn't anything for most homeowners to monkey with.

 

[OldSparks]

Originally Posted By: Doog

If you have any water erosion from a down spout it could be causing that as well. That would need to be repaired too.


I see so many houses that have inadequate rainwater drainage. If you're going to spend good money for eavestroughs, make sure the downspouts direct the water away from the foundation...

 

[otis24]

My house was built in an old railroad bed. So the ground is rocky and pretty stable. I did not notice the foundation being cracked when I moved in 14 years ago, so I think it is new. I can not imagine that the will be settling anymore given its age and the fact that it is built on an old railroad bed. The inside of the cinder block wall is lined with insulation, so it is hard to view anything from the back side of the wall. There is a new masonary guy in town that I have gotten to know. I will get his opinion and an estimate.