JohnS
04-03-2005, 05:22 PM
I've already read the previously mentioned items to see if there was a tie-in for my question but I never saw anything so here goes.
Our 3yr old house is about 90% siding/10% brick. The brick goes up about 3', then there is a concrete ledge, and then siding above that for the remainder of the 2 storey home. We just got past the spring thaw and had our first major rain this year and there are 3 new leaks in the basement which I assume they orginate behind the siding, run down behind the brick to the foundation, and then they find a low point and enter into the basement underneath the base plate which rests on the foundation.
Few issues I've noticed, the concrete ledges are about 3' in length and some of these have cracked mortar between them and also below them. The siding base plate (bottom plate which rests on the ledge and secures the siding) in some sections consists of 2 or 3 sections, none of which have any caulking which will allow water to run behind. Also, there is no caulking in any of the corners which I'm not sure if there should be but I do see evidence of tar paper. I'm assuming the water that runs behind comes from these non-caulked sections and then this runs along the foundation until it either finds a crack or rough spot.
The warranty period has run out on the house - should I remove the base plates and replace these with one single piece and caulk all the corners before I put it together or do I also have to remortar all of the cracked sections? Also, I've noticed a few spots where the mortar is cracked on the brickwork which should also be replaced.
Any suggestions?[/img]
Our 3yr old house is about 90% siding/10% brick. The brick goes up about 3', then there is a concrete ledge, and then siding above that for the remainder of the 2 storey home. We just got past the spring thaw and had our first major rain this year and there are 3 new leaks in the basement which I assume they orginate behind the siding, run down behind the brick to the foundation, and then they find a low point and enter into the basement underneath the base plate which rests on the foundation.
Few issues I've noticed, the concrete ledges are about 3' in length and some of these have cracked mortar between them and also below them. The siding base plate (bottom plate which rests on the ledge and secures the siding) in some sections consists of 2 or 3 sections, none of which have any caulking which will allow water to run behind. Also, there is no caulking in any of the corners which I'm not sure if there should be but I do see evidence of tar paper. I'm assuming the water that runs behind comes from these non-caulked sections and then this runs along the foundation until it either finds a crack or rough spot.
The warranty period has run out on the house - should I remove the base plates and replace these with one single piece and caulk all the corners before I put it together or do I also have to remortar all of the cracked sections? Also, I've noticed a few spots where the mortar is cracked on the brickwork which should also be replaced.
Any suggestions?[/img]