Although stone and rubble foundations are not often built anymore, there are plenty of “century homes” or “heritage buildings” that have these types of foundations. Older foundations of these kinds can be made permanently waterproof, but only by a professional like The Crack Doctor that understands how best to deal with stone and rubble foundations.
One of the biggest challenges in stone and rubble foundations is that they’ve been buried underground for so long that the mortar between the stones has often deteriorated significantly. Consequently, if the earth is removed by excavating to waterproof from outside, a structural collapse can occur without the proper precautions being taken.
To excavate and waterproof this type of foundation, depending on the structural integrity of the foundation, The Crack Doctor may treat the walls in alternating sections of excavated and unexcavated areas approximately 10 feet long. When the exposed areas are waterproofed, those sections are then back-filled and compacted. This process is then repeated for the sections that have been unexcavated. Additionally, it may be necessary to take the weight of the structure off the foundation by installing temporary jack posts and beams in the basement and slightly lifting the house.
If excavation is undesirable, an interior French drain or sub-floor drainage system can be used to waterproof the basement area. This will not cause any of the structural concerns of excavation and is a very effective alternative.
To set up an appointment for a free assessment of your stone or rubble foundation property, please call us today. Remember that many of our waterproofing repairs are covered by a lifetime transferable warranty.
Simply fill out the short form below and one of our Certified Waterproofing Professionals will contact you.
