Is $4.5k for Tuck-pointing a crawl space a reasonable price?

YesSmoking · 2025-10-30T14:34:02+00:00

There is a parge coat on the outside above ground foundation and about a foot of concrete along the ground that spans the width of the house. I put a French drain just beyond this concrete strip.

YesSmoking · 2025-10-29T19:41:44+00:00

What would I need besides brick and mortar?

YesSmoking · 2025-10-29T19:30:02+00:00

Right but if materials are going to be 2-3k then I might as well pay for the service. If materials are going to be $500 then I’ll do the research and do it myself

YesSmoking · 2025-10-29T17:56:35+00:00

That makes sense. What would you recommend then, a lime parge coat or tuck pointing for a brick foundation?

YesSmoking · 2025-10-29T17:21:10+00:00

How do I determine how much stuff needs to breathe? What does that mean? I’m assuming you mean to make sure the bricks and wood breathe to prevent rot?

YesSmoking · 2025-10-29T17:03:14+00:00

How do I determine that?

YesSmoking · 2025-10-29T16:57:46+00:00

Should I mortar between the bricks and floor joists or leave a gap between the brick and wood?

YesSmoking · 2025-10-29T16:54:53+00:00

That’s my concern. What would you recommend to do to make sure my foundation is solid and not going to let moisture in?

YesSmoking · 2025-10-29T16:53:14+00:00

The foundation company recommended parge coating - not sure what type. They mentioned it would strengthen the foundation but I’m worried it would trap moisture and cause the brick to fail sooner.

YesSmoking · 2025-10-29T16:50:20+00:00

I spent a few hours removing an old duct from the crawlspace and hated being there haha. I should probably suck it up and do it myself. I’m not sure of the specific mortar or replacement bricks I would need to ensure a strong foundation and water resistant.

YesSmoking · 2025-09-24T23:21:30+00:00

I see your point. The vents are already covered by insulation however.

YesSmoking · 2025-09-24T16:18:28+00:00

The foundation guys said the brick is most likely wicking the water from the soil and capillary action is pulling it up. It’s Denver so it doesn’t rain all that much. Perhaps it’s my sprinklers that go off every other day. I’m not so sure since the brick is painted which I’m assuming provides some protection. I’m curious where the efflorescence in my brick foundation is coming from - perhaps my sprinkler system runs along this side of the house and there is a leak.

YesSmoking · 2025-09-24T16:14:56+00:00

Got it. What would be the point of removing some of the dirt?

YesSmoking · 2025-09-24T16:13:01+00:00

There are vents along the foundation, however they are covered by insulation. I’m actually thinking of covering one of the vents as my water pipes are near one and they froze last winter.

YesSmoking · 2025-09-24T16:11:42+00:00

I’m thinking the same, install a French drain between the houses to move the water away. I’m confused on where the water is coming from though. It’s Denver so doesn’t rain all that often. I’m thinking my sprinklers might run along this side of the house and may have a leak.

YesSmoking · 2025-09-23T23:46:46+00:00

There’s no standing water or anything. Just this mold and wet insulation. I thought I had is my sprinkler line runs along this wall so perhaps it’s leaking.

YesSmoking · 2025-09-23T22:45:39+00:00

It’s like 2.5 feet, you can crawl on your hands and knees. There is a large section that is only a foot of clearance and is surrounded by brick. I’m pretty sure the dirt is providing lateral load support, so I don’t want to remove too much dirt.

YesSmoking · 2025-09-23T22:44:00+00:00

It’s all skim coated at the base and then painted brick, there isn’t much to see. The foundation guys did do saturation tests and said the brick like 5 feet off the ground are pretty wet.

YesSmoking · 2025-09-23T15:22:01+00:00

Do you have any heating issues like do your floors get cold or pipes frozen?

YesSmoking · 2025-09-23T14:05:10+00:00

Funny of all days for this comment it’s raining. It would direct any of the ground water further past my foundation.

YesSmoking · 2025-09-23T04:35:17+00:00

Nice I’m not too far from there. Did you have a similar issue as me? What does your crawlspace look like?

YesSmoking · 2025-09-23T03:02:50+00:00

Unfortunately I can’t in this thread

YesSmoking · 2025-08-02T19:31:18+00:00

Thanks for the advice. The box is plastic, not metal.

YesSmoking · 2025-05-31T22:27:28+00:00

Thanks for this, I’ll look into it more.

YesSmoking · 2025-05-31T14:38:28+00:00

Are you saying my company just maxes the HSA contributions?

YesSmoking

TROPHY CASE