mjr6550 Posted May 20, 2015 Report Share Posted May 20, 2015 This is why I love my job. This is a bank owned property and A contractor who looks after their properties called me in to see what is going on. An issue I see fairly often with rubble stone foundations is that they are often constructed essentially as two wythes and should be tied together with stone spanning across the width. When that is not done or when mortar joints are badly deteriorated the wall looses its integrity. In this case this is a party wall. A portion of the side I inspected collapsed and the other side has no reason to to standing. The portion next to the stairway is only being held in place by the stairway. Apparently the brick party wall shifted down a significant amount towards the rear, which accounts for the movement at the kitchen and second floor bathroom. If they loose the wall next to the stairway, then thinks will really go down hill-literally. Click to Enlarge 15.31 KB Click to Enlarge 16.43 KB Click to Enlarge 19.77 KB Click to Enlarge 21.77 KB Click to Enlarge 37.03 KB Click to Enlarge 39.36 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kibbel Posted May 20, 2015 Report Share Posted May 20, 2015 A large majority of stone foundations in PA & NJ are constructed as 2 wythes with nothing but loose, unmortared crap between the wythes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted May 20, 2015 Report Share Posted May 20, 2015 In Chicago, it's usually partially mortared crap with the mortar long since turned to powder. Or dirt held in place with crap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenT Posted May 20, 2015 Report Share Posted May 20, 2015 Would this be double wythe? Click to Enlarge 82.43 KB Click to Enlarge 78.99 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erby Posted May 21, 2015 Report Share Posted May 21, 2015 I'd bet not, Steven. The OLD stone foundations around here don't need columns installed. My guess would be the framing stops right at the exterior of the window and that doesn't leave enough width for a double wythe of stone. More likely wood frame construction with columns and a stone veneer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjr6550 Posted May 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2015 Would this be double wythe? Hard to say how that was built. How old is the house? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjr6550 Posted May 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2015 In Chicago, it's usually partially mortared crap with the mortar long since turned to powder. Or dirt held in place with crap. With these old stone foundations here its mostly soil and lime with a little cement if you are lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjr6550 Posted May 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2015 A large majority of stone foundations in PA & NJ are constructed as 2 wythes with nothing but loose, unmortared crap between the wythes. Agreed. I find that the the more the foundation extends above grade the more likely the foundation walls separate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted May 21, 2015 Report Share Posted May 21, 2015 With these old stone foundations here its mostly soil and lime with a little cement if you are lucky. Pretty much the same here. It's the one thing that Type N mortar is reasonably good at correcting. It's not so much pointing or repointing as it's squishing the mortar into the "joints" as best as one can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted May 21, 2015 Report Share Posted May 21, 2015 Would this be double wythe? Click to Enlarge 82.43 KB Click to Enlarge 78.99 KB I'm not sure what I'd call that. There's no apparent wythe, just a jumble of field stone. Kinda lousy stone work, what with the massive mortar joints. It looks like a post WWII thing with that siding. I see that stuff on post WWII cottages and houses over in SW Michigan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.