Clarification of tuck pointing fieldstone foundation please!
#1
06-04-13, 10:29 AM
Clarification of tuck pointing fieldstone foundation please!
Hi,
I just purchased a 1790 cape with a fieldstone foundation.
I was told that tuck pointing would be a good way to seal up the moisture seepage I get through the foundation & also would help add support and bind the rocks together since there has been some moderate shifting/bulging over time. There have been interior sections of the mass under the center chimney pointed with modern cement but the exterior walls are old lime mortar.
My long term plan is to lay plastic on the dirt floor with crushed stone and then add a dehumidifier once I point the walls.
I have read here that lime mortar is better because it allows moisture to pass through and so might be less likely to produce water pressure behind it (although certain people I have talked to have said that they wouldn't be concerned by it, some have said it should be considered). It is also mentioned that this kind of mortar will "move" with the foundation and so is more suited to field stone. I'm not sure why you would want the fieldstone to be able to move but that's just what I've read.
Since I am trying to prevent moisture penetration and help add support to the walls by adding mortar (to help prevent further bulging/shifting), I am thinking that this might not be the right way to go. Cement is stronger and so would help hold things together better I asssume? Or is lime-based strong enough for this purpose. I'm confused!
If someone could clarify pros and cons of lime-based vs. cement based mortar for my particular situation I would really appreciate it!
Luci
I just purchased a 1790 cape with a fieldstone foundation.
I was told that tuck pointing would be a good way to seal up the moisture seepage I get through the foundation & also would help add support and bind the rocks together since there has been some moderate shifting/bulging over time. There have been interior sections of the mass under the center chimney pointed with modern cement but the exterior walls are old lime mortar.
My long term plan is to lay plastic on the dirt floor with crushed stone and then add a dehumidifier once I point the walls.
I have read here that lime mortar is better because it allows moisture to pass through and so might be less likely to produce water pressure behind it (although certain people I have talked to have said that they wouldn't be concerned by it, some have said it should be considered). It is also mentioned that this kind of mortar will "move" with the foundation and so is more suited to field stone. I'm not sure why you would want the fieldstone to be able to move but that's just what I've read.
Since I am trying to prevent moisture penetration and help add support to the walls by adding mortar (to help prevent further bulging/shifting), I am thinking that this might not be the right way to go. Cement is stronger and so would help hold things together better I asssume? Or is lime-based strong enough for this purpose. I'm confused!
If someone could clarify pros and cons of lime-based vs. cement based mortar for my particular situation I would really appreciate it!
Luci
