TOPIC: Old stone foundation wall crack???

Hello all,

Anyone here experienced in stone wall foundations?  I don't see a lot of them.

Do you use the same criteria (1/4 cracks) to have evaluated or would it have to be more significant being the wall is 2 1/2 to 3 feet thick?

Thank you in advance!
 

Hi Mike
Those gaps need to be filled.
Looks like someone parge coated in the past
Recommend a good Masonry contractor come out and repair.

Did not see the cracked stone on first quick look however if no movement may not be an issue once the openings are sealed back up.
Heck that foundation will outlast most of us though moisture intrusion will most likely always be an issue and it needs to breath on the inside.
Hope that is an unfinished basement however.

Is that a dirt floor in there? ...must be at least 100 years old.

Good morning Bob,

You confirmed what I was thinking.  I told the client I didn't think there was a foundation issue (failing wall) but I did recommend a mason repair/replace all the missing mortar.  I emphasized that the mortar is what holds the rock together.  I also told him stone walls are notorious for allowing  moisture in (not finished off).

I didn't see any cracked stone just this large gap between the stones.
 
They poured a floor I'm guessing about 20 years ago.  I'm sure it was a dirt floor.  All of the floor joists had been replaced due to moisture damage and some rot on the beams and ledger board.

This house is probably 100+.
Thank you for your post Bob!
Have a great day!

Hi Mike,
I know its an old post, but for the future...
I see stone foundations in our area all of the time. The crack you show, definitely shows some foundation movement - you can tell by the offset of the stones and fairly recent parging/pointing repair. If the crack is near the corner, the other side of the corner will show similar effects. Yes, the stone foundation is able to flex more than concrete or CMU, but the sill beam is generally placed over the outer edge of the foundation and inner wall might simply absorb the movement, while the outer portion settles. The stone foundation will not always crack right through the stones. In most cases it will "step-crack" in the mortar joints between the stones when it settles. If you see displacement, offsets, misalignment of the stones and larger cracks in recent mortar pointing or parging, it is likely an ongoing movement. Mortar looks less than 2-3 years old. Look up, I bet there are no gutters on that side of the house.

You could possibly be right Frank however not seeing the displacement you are from a straight on shot and would need to see the whole exterior/interior to make that call.
They may have had that in the same condition for a long time and simply made a bad attempt at parge coat when the place went up for sale.

Never hurts to recommend a Foundation contractor examine and defer on something like this however.

Opinions here are personal opinions and thoughts of course as only the guy on site can make the end call.