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masonry repair work myself?

2K views 8 replies 4 participants last post by  Head_Unit  
#1 ·
Hi All,
100yr old southern california craftsman house, I have some brick and masonry foundation repairs I need to do, I think I can do myself, but-here for the questions.

I have 2 original brick pilasters, ages ago there was obviously a vine that snuck its way into the bricks, the vines are long gone, but the dead wood/rot is laced into the joints and caused some displacement of brick. Any suggestions to that: Pic attached
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Next issue, is the concrete footing/foundation around my house. One area with a crack in it and then some crumbling concrete under the steps. Previous owner tried patching some areas, but its fallen off. Any product or method you'd reccomend?

This is under the porch slab, above steps, this loose concrete/rock is crumbly
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Crack:
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Peeling of previous patchwork
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Crack in corner of footing:
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Discussion starter · #4 ·
You likely have long term success at the steps and repointing the bricks, the foundation less so without determining the extent or how deep the crack. Does the home have a basement?

One benefit of a good mason is they should be more skilled with matching mortar and I'd get a quote before starting.
No basement, just a crawl space, of which I can access albeit kind of a sketchy crawl to that section...I redid some plumbing a couple of years ago and did not see it cracking to the other side.