Concrete erosion
The white powder is efflorescnce. It is hard to stop and can go on for years.Euclid makes a product called Eff stop that may be of help.Good luck,Keith
Discussion History
What else.....Water in Basement
The rods are called wall ties. The leaks will lessen once gutters are installed but will not stop.This sounds like a basement that was not waterproofed. You have ...
1
answersupdated over 18 years ago by Keith Martin
Leak through patch in concrete foundation
The easiest fix is a urethane injection. You will need a professional to perform this for you. If Annandale is close Charlotteville I can recomend someone for you...
1
answersupdated over 18 years ago by Keith Martin
Repair this? Tension slab.
Mike,I was unable to open the photos but reinforcing steel should have a minimum of 1" of cover. I would treat the steel with a corrosion inhibiter before coverin...
1
answersupdated over 18 years ago by Keith Martin
foundation mortar turning to sand!
Amanda,You can tuck point those bricks with mortar.Use type "S" mortar with sand, You can usually buy it premixed at the lumber yard so all you have to do is add ...
2
answersupdated over 18 years ago by Keith Martin
Yet another leak question *sigh*
David,Look for a construction specialties store in your area. AH Harris is one I know that is in New York. Siloxane can be sprayed with pump up garden sprayer. It...
4
answersupdated over 18 years ago by Keith Martin
carpet on basement floor
Lily,First off, I do not reccomend carpet in a basement. The relative humidity is generally too high in most basements and the carpet will end up being musty.If y...
1
answersupdated over 18 years ago by Keith Martin
Yet another leak question *sigh*
Roach,water will go through brick. Try the easy things first. Check caulking on all windows and doors. If needed caulk with one part urethane caulk. SIKA, sonnebo...
4
answersupdated over 18 years ago by Keith Martin
water proofing basement walls
Homebild is right. The only way to "Waterproof a wall" is an exterior dig up. Foam injection in the wall will insulated but will not waterproof because you cannot...
4
answersupdated over 18 years ago by Keith Martin
Wood Foundation
Bob,I have had an unusual amount of interset in wood foundations lately.I personally don't like the idea but they are allowed by International code.the foundation...
3
answersupdated over 18 years ago by Keith Martin
Water leaking under foundation blocks at footer!!
You don't specify but it sound like you are talking about a crawl space.If this is the case, and you do not wish to dig up the exterior, you can install a footing...
5
answersupdated over 18 years ago by Keith Martin
Waterproofing Old Brick Basement
there is no real way of sealing the brick from the inside. you can parge coat the interior and seal out some water but it never really works. In order to really s...
1
answersupdated over 18 years ago by Keith Martin
Backup sump pumps
Pumpguy,As a general rule, sump pumps do require maintence. As a general rule I tell my customers to replace working pumps at or before ten years. All of the othe...
2
answersupdated over 18 years ago by Keith Martin
Interior Drainage Channels
The channel around your basement is an interior pressure relief drain. It is designed to keep water pressure from building up on the exterior of the wall. I don't...
2
answersupdated over 18 years ago by Keith Martin
Drywalling ceiling in basement
Mr Me,I understand your viewpoint, I just disagree.Try to find a match for a 10 year old ceiling tile, If you do match the pattern will the color be the same?Agre...
13
answersupdated over 18 years ago by Keith Martin
Slab/Basement
Slabs crack because they are concrete. that's its job. It gets hard, it cracks. Above the frost line should have nothing to do with cracks. Concrete starts it cra...
4
answersupdated over 18 years ago by Keith Martin
Drywalling ceiling in basement
I assume that you are looking to gain a few inches of headspace in your basement.Drywall is a good approach. If a pipe leaks, you cut a section of drywall,make th...
13
answersupdated over 18 years ago by Keith Martin
concrete slab on top of concrete slab???
There are several alternatives to topping a slab. You can add some toppings as thin as 1/4". An important point that you should know is that regardless of the top...
7
answersupdated over 18 years ago by Keith Martin
"DriCore" flooring system
I don't know what dricore subflooring is but there are several clues that lead me to believe that you have no vapor barrier underneath the slab.Water vapor will t...
4
answersupdated over 18 years ago by Keith Martin
mystery waterfall leak in basement
It sounds like your water table is rising and allowing water to run along a tree root and to the foundation wall.RECAP1. Area is bone dry under porch and next to ...
3
answersupdated over 18 years ago by Keith Martin
