Masonry Issues

tk3000 · 09-05-2011, 01:00 PM

Hello Folk,

I have two masonry related question. One is about a basement small window concrete base/surrounding that seem have been worn out in function of erosion possibly caused by water falling from the above gutter system. That level of erosion seems to allow water to come inside my basement walls. As shown in the following pic:

Another issue is related to small cracks and failures on my external brick walls, as shown in the following pic:

Could anyone recommend how to approach repairing the basement window concrete surrounding. And how much of a problem are the small cracks and failures on my external brick walls?

Thanks,
tk

Ron6519 · 09-05-2011, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tk3000

Hello Folk,

I have two masonry related question. One is about a basement small window concrete base/surrounding that seem have been worn out in function of erosion possibly caused by water falling from the above gutter system. That level of erosion seems to allow water to come inside my basement walls. As shown in the following pic:

Another issue is related to small cracks and failures on my external brick walls, as shown in the following pic:

Could anyone recommend how to approach repairing the basement window concrete surrounding. And how much of a problem are the small cracks and failures on my external brick walls?

Thanks,
tk

Are the gutters too small or clogged. Water doesn't overflow the gutters unless there's a reason. Find out what it is and fix it.
The missing mortar should be replaced. Grind out the cracked areas at least 3/4-1" deep and repoint.
How old is the house?

tk3000 · 09-06-2011, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron6519

Are the gutters too small or clogged. Water doesn't overflow the gutters unless there's a reason. Find out what it is and fix it.
The missing mortar should be replaced. Grind out the cracked areas at least 3/4-1" deep and repoint.
How old is the house?

Thanks for your response, Ron. It is condominium, each building has 3 units (mine is of them). There are indications that in the past the gutter system was falling right above my basement window since there is a stain on the walls created by the falling water. Apparently the gutter system has been fixed (I was told that by the association). But apparently the falling water damaged the lower basement windows concrete surroundings, but that is just a guess. It was built in 1972. I will look into fixing the the missing mortar.

tk

Ron6519 · 09-06-2011, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tk3000

Thanks for your response, Ron. It is condominium, each building has 3 units (mine is of them). There are indications that in the past the gutter system was falling right above my basement window since there is a stain on the walls created by the falling water. Apparently the gutter system has been fixed (I was told that by the association). But apparently the falling water damaged the lower basement windows concrete surroundings, but that is just a guess. It was built in 1972. I will look into fixing the the missing mortar.

tk

For water to wear away concrete, it would take a torrent or a long time or both. To see if the gutters are indeed fixed, go outside when it rains and look at them. If they're overflowing, call someone.