What is a drawback of stone foundations?

Due to their composition and lack of uniformity, stone foundations are more likely to have problems when mortar crumbles due to water, bowing, or even just time.

ayersbasementsystems.com - Stone Foundations - What, Why, and How - Ayers Basement Systems

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There’s are endless articles about poured concrete walls, and block concrete walls, and the differences between them; about the pros and cons of each, and the problems that befall each type. But when it comes to stone foundations, there’s very little information out there beyond: “They’re interesting,” “They’re usually old,” and “If one falls apart, you’re doomed.” So let’s talk about them.

What are they?

Stone foundations were common pre-World War I, which is why you tend to see them in old farmhouses and newly minted historic districts. The foundation is composed of stones, obviously, with mortar filled between them and spread over top to bind them together into the walls that make up the home’s foundation.

Why do they crumble?

Due to their composition and lack of uniformity, stone foundations are more likely to have problems when mortar crumbles due to water, bowing, or even just time. Crumbling is never good, but think about the structure of a stone foundation vs a block foundation; if the mortar between two blocks starts to decay, it’s a problem, but due to the uniformity of the blocks and the building structure, you have some time to fix it. Crumbling mortar in a stone foundation is sort of like pulling an apple out of the middle of a pile at the store - maybe the structure will stay in tact, but you can’t be sure. Plus, once that surface layer of mortar starts to go, the interior is more likely to keep crumbling apart until the wall is failing at an exponential rate. At the end of the day, you’re also more likely to see wall failure in stone foundations simply because of the age of the structure, which is something you can’t control. Mortar isn’t a forever thing - it will degrade and crumble over time.

How can you fix them?

The situation isn’t as hopeless as most home blogs would lead you to believe. Their only solution is repointing - replacing the mortar - and hoping for the best. This leaves you at risk for the same problem to creep up as moisture and time degrade the mortar again. While stone foundations have some charm to them, so does a structurally sound foundation. That’s why we recommend using Shotcrete to permanently repair stone foundations. Shotcrete is a sprayed application of concrete; after creating a steel mesh framework, shotcrete is applied to the existing walls with a high-pressure hose. This creates new concrete walls that bond to and replace the stone as the weight bearing, stable foundation. You’ll lose a few square feet of basement space due to the new walls, but it’s better than watching the old walls cave in. If your home has a stone foundation, or you’re contemplating buying a home that has one, know that it’s not a hopeless case. You just need the right company to fix it with the right products. Call today to schedule your free inspection.

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Does gravel keep mice away?

Pea gravel can also be used to keep rats and other rodents away from your home.

pestpatrolsandiego.com - Can Rats Dig Through Pea Gravel Around Your House? - Pest Patrol

How Does Pea Gravel Keep Rats Away?

Pea gravels are smooth, multi-colored stones the size of a pea. Many homeowners opt to use them around their houses, gardens, driveways, and pathways. This is a great prevention technique to prevent rats from entering their homes and making holes in the yard landscaping as rats do not like burrowing through gravel. Having a layer of loose gravel beneath and around your house can discourage the rats as it makes it difficult for them to dig through, build a nest, or hide. When a rat digs in it, the pebbles fall back in upon themselves and it’s much harder for the animal to move. This way, the rat gets frustrated and eventually abandons its efforts to proceed. Typically, rats prefer to excavate their burrows in soft ground. However, given the option of digging through 4 or 6 inches of loose gravel and finding another place to live, then this helps to shift the balance in favor of them looking elsewhere. The same also applies to other smaller rodents such as mice or shrews. These pests prefer areas that are well hidden to protect them from potential predators. As such, grass, shrubs, and places under rocks provide the perfect habitats to hide and burrow.