[TinyFargo]

I have a house with a concrete front porch. I on and off notice that it has a series of small holes, spaced a few feet apart that run along the edge of the house (see attached photos). They are more noticeable after I've power washed since all the dirt that's accumulated in them is gone.

My theory is that the porch was settling and the previous owner had that foam stuff injected under it or something.

Any idea if that's right or if these holes were for something else, and is it OK to plug them up with a little hydraulic cement? I'm thinking about painting the porch and it would be nice to start with a surface that didn't have these dirt-filled pits.

 

[ZTMAN]

Probably foam or pressure grout. Fill em up and paint away

 

[ClarenceBauer]

Could have been drilled for Termite treatment.

 

[joecaption]

I agree, far more likely it was for termite treatment and should have been filled in with mortar by the exterminator.
That siding is already way to close to the patio already.
Any modern codes would call for the siding be at least 6" away from any solid surface like that.
Huge mistake to paint it!
Once done it's going to be an on going issue as long as you own the home.

 

[Nealtw]

I agree with Joe, is there concrete or wood behind the bottom of the siding.

 

[huesmann]

Definitely termite treatment. Should have been grouted. Maybe they got some water in and freeze-thaw pushed the plugs up?

 

[TinyFargo]

I agree, far more likely it was for termite treatment and should have been filled in with mortar by the exterminator.
That siding is already way to close to the patio already.
Any modern codes would call for the siding be at least 6" away from any solid surface like that.
Huge mistake to paint it!
Once done it's going to be an on going issue as long as you own the home.

It's not a patio; it's a covered porch...not sure if that matters? The wood exterior wall of the house goes down to the level that the siding is, so I don't think there was much choice in the matter by the siding installer. What should they have done? The house is from the 1960's and I feel like if it were built today, the porch probably wouldn't have been this mass of concrete.

Also, if paint is a bad idea, do you have any suggestion for how I might freshen it up? The 40 year old concrete just looks tired.

 

[TinyFargo]

I uploaded a zoomed out pic in case that helps explain (sorry that it's evening here so the lighting wasn't great).