What is a stone foundation exactly? Here in New England it is pretty common to see a stone foundation. A stone foundation is foundation that is usually made out of field stones stacked one on top of the other. But to get a full picture of it, think of a triangle and throw stones into the triangle. The tall leg of the triangle is what you are looking at from the inside of the foundation. Usually they put mortar in between the stones and it will stay together really nice.
Over the years what happens is the mortar in between the stones breaks down and you see a power along the floor. Or, homeowners will coat mortar over the stones and that is getting popped off and you see the powder on the floor all the time. Sometimes we even see plants and mushrooms growing out of the stone foundations.
Repointing a stone foundation is putting h the mortar back that is in between the stones. First we have to remove any loose or powdered mortar and clean that area out, sometimes we even feel cold air coming through those voids, but not only cold air can come through. Those voids allow rodents, snakes, water and radon in too. So we have to put that mortar back and that helps keep that structure tight.
When selling a house with a stone foundation, the new homeowner is going to go downstairs and look at the foundation. They’re going to get scared if they see holes, voids or plants, so you are going to lose a whole portion of buyers because of that. Even though it is an old house, they still want an old house that is like new. Also, they are going to get a home inspector to come in and that his one of the first things they will look at in the basement and they’ll say that it needs to be repointed. Save some time and aggravation and have it repaired before you put the house on the market.
If you are buying a house with a stone foundation look for those holes in the foundation, touch the mortar and see if it comes off. If it does, the foundation needs to be repointed.
For more information on basement waterproofing and foundation crack repair, contact A1 Foundation Crack Repair.