Heavily aged mortar

1

I know mortar ages and slowly deteriorates but this is insane. Have you ever seen anything like this? what would cause this to be so brittle and deteriorated? This is INSIDe the basement not on the exterior of the home

2

Improper parge coat!

1 Like
3

A few of things come to mind:

  1. Improper mix - too much sand to mortar.
  2. Too dry a mix - not enough water to create the proper bonding.
  3. The mortar was applied beyond its working time, so the cement had begun to cure before it was applied.
  4. The water in the mix froze before it was properly cured.
  5. Mortar was too old (although I’m not sure that’s actually a thing).
  6. Combination of the above.

All of that are guesses based on experience with other products.

“Damn it, Jim! I’m a carpenter, not a mason.”

2 Likes
4

You have any clear photos?
Old home? Turn of the century? Ancestral foundation?
Is that a random rubble stone wall in the basement?

5

How much further damage did you cause? Careful “illustrating” issues in someone else’s home.

Anyway, that mortar was not old in my opinion, just a bad mix and a bad install.

1 Like
6

Yes randomly rubble stone. I don’t have a picture sorry

7

What? Is this an actual inspection?

8

I included the video. I found that way more inforative in some situations

9

You included the video of you further damaging the subject property? And took no photos of the area before or after? Or even general photos of the area for your own records?

I encourage you to consider some basic documentation tips. If you would like, I will happily go over those with you.

3 Likes
10

Lime based Mortar was used on random rubble stone. As well, Lime Wash was washed atop the foundation walls to absorb moisture and evenly distribute evaporation.
At times, in poorly maintained lime mortar crumbles in your hand. It has a yellowish blush as compared to whitish gray blush of concrete. No professionals use cement as the binder to repair degradation. Not a good idea. Expands when wet. Too brittle. (Primarily due to its inherent micro-porous structure, where tiny air pockets within the hardened cement paste can expand and crack when subjected to stress.)
Last part of the explanation was AI generated text. I am too tired to think. Sorry. Long day.

Lime mortar today is primarily used during conservation efforts. Using original construction materials, but may be used as an alternative to ordinary Portland cement.

Hope that helps.

11

Great reach out, Brian. You are a good man.