My 1820 house sits on a site-made brick foundation, with no footing. It has been sitting since 1820 so I am not worried about the lack of a footing. I have had a crack develop in one corner over the last 10 years – maybe 1/8 inch wide at its widest point and 3 feet long. I suspect a tree root is the culprit and plan on a seach and destroy mission. The crack is too small to point and I am interested in injecting the crack to at least keep it dry. The bricks and mortar are soft. Any suggestions for dealing with this crack?
Bill
Replies
There are several injectable epoxy systems on the market. A local concrete accessories suplly house will have some in stock. Or just do a search for concrete repair products if you want to comparison shop.
Lots of good products that should fit your application.
Check with the Old House Journal folks - modern materials and old brick might not be a good combo.
Tell us more about the crack: direction, relationship to corners, floors
How's the drainage outside at that point?
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The crack is near a corner, starts at ground level and heads up at about a 20 degree angle. Drainage is excellent. I have a stone in-ground gutter adjacent to the foundation and the soil under the foundation is sandy gravel.
FWIW Epoxies will probably cause mor problems than they will cure. if they gain good adhesion to the soft brick then all that will happen if there is more movement is cause the brick to crack again at another location. If sealing the crack against water intrusion is what you are after I would look into a polyurethane based product that is used to seal and weatherise expansion joints in concrete. It will remain flexable and not cause the brick to shear at another location. PL has some as does Sika (sp?)
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
Another vote for the PL concrete crack sealer. Stinks for a few weeks, but does the job.
Mike Hennessy
Pittsburgh, PA