Repairing Block Walls
Usually, the first repair you ll need to make to a block structure will be repointing – using fresh mortar to replace mortar joints that have failed . This process is the same for brick ; Other simple cosmetic repairs to a block structure involve reinforcing a damaged area with a patch of repair compound ,or coating the block with paint , stucco, or mortar .
Foundations Wall Repair Water damage
If a block or brick foundation has cracked and chipped on the surface but is still structurally sound, there are several repair options, including repointing the mortar joints, replacing badly chipped units, and covering with stucco. If the bricks or blocks don t wobble in and out of line too much , you can use 1/2 inch pressure-treated plywood or foam board to bridge the nooks and crannies that let in water and moisture. Even small openings can eventually ruin the foundation s appearance and sap its strength.
To make a complete seal and create a neat line near the ground, clear away enough dirt so that the bottom few inches of the new covering can be buried, can tuck the upper edge into a liberal bed of caulking below the house siding. Although pressure-treated wood will resist rot, you might refill the small trench with gravel to encourage drainage before replacing the top layer of sod. The only trick part of simple operation is nailing the covering panels into the brick . Get an assist by lacing the backs of the covering panels with construction adhesive ; then use several hardened masonry or cut nails to lock each sheet in place. Nailing into the mortar between bricks is easiest if you can gauge the courses of brick.
For a neutral , masonry – like finish , coat the covering material with heavy – bodied gray exterior stain. From a few feet away , it will look like stucco. While you re at it, consider adding a layer of rigid foam insulating the exposed portion of the foundation.
Painting Block
If you plan to finish masonry basement walls, there are special waterproofing paints that roll or brush on thickly, like wet plaster . First, you should patch any open or leaking cracks with a cement-based patching compound or hydraulic cement . Even on rough walls , surface application look better and last longer over sound, uncracked surfaces.
For painting , opt for a heavy-napped roller , called a bulldozer by professional painter because it can be loaded with thick paint and it will push the excess along the wall just as a bulldozer pushes dirt. The thick , ragged nap is essential when working on rough masonry . It helps to work the viscous paint into surface crevices and the joints between courses of concrete foundation block .
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