A common recurring problem in Baker Neighborhood homes is deteriorating masonry (a.k.a. “sand brick”) walls.
The cause is primarily related to drainage around the foundation wall(s).
The cure relies upon facilitating the water with the opportunity to be carried far and deep enough away so that the water no longer “wicks” up into the very pourous brick. When this wicking occurrs, the lime in the mortar leaches away and allows the bricks to settle, oftentimes creating settlement cracks on BOTH the inside and outside walls.
Shown here we are sealing the brick so as to prevent penetration of moisture into it while directing the ambient water AWAY from the foundation.
A “final touch” may be to plant groundcover along the edges to assure that the base of the wall is dried by the plantings’ roots wicking the moisture away through transpiration.
