Moisture in Parging

[Mike Mike]

Hi,

I have a bungalow from 1958. It has a concrete block foundation with brick veneer siding.

I have noticed on wet days ( even when there is just water on the ground, but not raining ), that my parging above grade is wet. It happens especially in one area.

I suppose it is possible that the moisture is wicking up the foundation from grade level where the wet ground is in contact with the foundation.

However, recently I've been considering something else. The brick veneer is directly on the concrete block. I believe there is supposed to be a metal flashing between the brick and concrete block. There are weep holes every 3 bricks. Some are plugged with loose mortar.

My theory is that the lack of a flashing between the brick and concrete block is allowing moisture from the brick to travel down and into the concrete block.

Wondering if anyone else has noticed something like this.

Does anyone know if this was code in 1958 ( Ontario ) ?

Thanks.

[Don_P]

If it's happening when the ground is damp but there is no rain it sounds more like it is rising. I would unplug the weeps the best you can. There should have been flashing there but that is moot at this point. I'd get a sealer with silane or siloxane in it and treat the brick, this will help repel water so less will get behind it if that is the problem.

[Michael Olding]

Due to the age of your home and the style (bungalow) I would bet that it is a ground water issue. Blocks can and do suck up a lot of water. If the bricks were dripping into the block cores as you suspect then the water would be down at the footings or the moisture would likely be evident along the prevailing windward side of the home.

Of course you could have a huge amount of roof run off against the wall or gutter clogs in one particular area. Biggest problems I see on old homes are constant leaking down spouts.