I have a 1947 post war concrete block house which I bought recently. I've never owned a block house. I'm scraping loose paint and repairing cracks in the exterior so I can paint it. There are some larger cracks (I assume from settling) that have been filled in with caulk in the past which is dried and cracking. I'm removing this and going to repair the cracks but I don't know what to use.

I've used hydraulic cement in the basement and really liked using that but I'm not sure if that's the correct repair method for the outside. I've attached a picture of one of the cracks and also the cement I have used in the basement.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

I think I would go with regular cement patch in a caulking gun tube. Although fast plug will do the job it would not be my first choice.

 

Is the crack dynamic/active and still moving? or Is the crack from settlement that has occurred and is not likely to happen again? If you use your hydraulic patch and it cracks out again, then the crack is still active. If you just try to fill with caulk, you will not have that question answered. It also is a fairly large crack and would require some form of backer.

I would be inclined to use the hydraulic cement and try to tool the patch as best to match the mortar lines. Work fast as the cement sets up super fast. Then prime and paint. I would then observe what the area does. If everything cracks out, then I would investigate the root cause of the movement. Structural engineers or foundation repair companies may be able to provide further insight at that time.

 

that's a fairly significantly sized step crack & suggests a failing footing,,, we use ramjack when we run into those problems - i like the strength of their helical piles much better than atlas,,, you MAY be able to stabilize the wall by underpinning,,, w/piers, the crack should close - good luck