Wondering whether anyone has info or recommendations on sealing limestone foundations walls from the outside.
I have an older home with limestone + mortar foundation about 150 years old. The drainage around the house is good and downspouts get the water away from the house quite well. The foundation itself is solid, about 2 feet thick at the base, about 18″ at the sill. We’ve never had water coming thru onto the floor. But the walls do let in some water (vapor?) and the plaster (or whatever it is on the inside) bubbles off near the bottom of the walls and in corners. We’d like to redo it with metal lath & plaster, but I am concerned that the ingress of water would loosen it over time.
On the outside the limestone is OK but the mortar weathers rather fast. Rather than re-tuckpointing it again I would prefer to finish it off with a more durable material.
I’m thinking of pouring a concrete wall on the outside of the existing foundation, and then sealing the concrete. I envision the wall being about 6″ thick from the base to the soil line, and then thinner in the 1 foot space between the soil and the water table. Probably taper this section and trowel it with attractive pattern.
Your thoughts please. Are there efficient methods that minimize the extent of excavation? (Like a Ditch Witch that would would make a narrow trench right by the wall, such that forms and backfilling would not be needed?) What about the proper concrete mix (or whatever is used)? What about cleaning and adhesion to the existing wall? Thickness, etc.? Are there firms out there that do this?
Thanks!
Replies
I don't know if this stuff would work well in this situation, but it would be worth talking to the manufacturer about:
http://www.deltams.com/deltams/index.html
I used it on a wet basement last year, and am really sold on it. (I've probably brought it up 20 or 30 times, and some of the regulars are tired of hearing about it)
Children have more need of models then of critics. [Joseph Joubert]
Boss,
What's the S.F. material cost of this stuff? Or, cost per roll?
Davo
Davo -
Going from memory, I'm thinking it was about $.45 per square foot. Add in some freight, fasteners, and edging, and it may have been closer to $.60 or so.
Splintergroupie is the one who told me about the stuff. I still owe her a big smooch if I ever run into her.Ambiguous headline: 2 SISTERS REUNITED AFTER 18 YEARS IN CHECKOUT COUNTER
Thanks for your response. I checked the website and think this product would not work for me. The walls are rough stone and quite irregular below grade.