Complete Shotcrete – Gunite Services 

Specializing in:

Restoration and Repair  •  Barn Walls Repairs – Foundations, Stone Foundation Repairs,
Basement Walls Repair – Foundations  •  Manure Lagoons
Bunker Walls / Foundations

Gunite / Shotcrete is a mixture of sand, cement and water, which is applied with high volume air pressure. The bond with properly cleaned concrete, brick or stone actually is stronger than the material to which it is applied. It is also very resistant to weather, heat and chemicals. Premier Gunite LLC has their Gunite specially mixed to their specs.

Does Your Stone Foundation Need Repair?

Here are some signs that your stone foundation needs to be repaired.

• Mortar is falling out – Mortar is a workable paste that hardens to bind stone together, seal irregular gaps, spread the weight, and sometimes add decorative colors. The most common mix is called Portland cement. Crumbling mortar can be compared to pulling a ball out of a ball pit, the structure might not move, or it could collapse the whole system.
• Bulging or leaning wall – If enough of the old mortar falls out, stones will start shifting around, causing the wall to lean and bulge.
• Loose stones – Once the mortar starts to flake and fall out, the stones will begin to shift and fall out. They are most common at walls and corners on the outside above the ground.
• Cracked stone walls – If you notice any cracks in stones, now would be a good time to start repairing them.
• Water leakage – Dry-laid stone walls placed without the use of mortar are prone to leak water. Initially, the water was meant to pass through the wall, continue across a sloped floor. Then it would be collected outside.

Why Do Stone Foundations Fail?

Now that you know the signs of damage let’s talk about why.

• Water and moisture – Moisture penetration through stone foundations erodes the mortar, causing it to flake, and hydrostatic pressure is caused by water-saturated soil pushing against the foundation.
• Frost – When the moisture in the soil freezes, it causes the soil to expand. As the weather grows warmer and the moisture in the soil melts, the soil contracts. This movement in the soil can cause the foundation to shift.
• Vehicle traffic – If your home is near a road, the constant pressure from cars can affect your stone foundation wall. Another scenario is when a car crashes into your home, hitting the top of the stone. Not good!
• Modification – Contractors may have renovated your stone foundation with insulation, storm windows, siding, caulking, or central heating. These improvements change how the building works and how water and moisture escapes. If you added a door or window after the foundation was already completed, the loss of stone in those areas might destroy the entire wall’s integrity.
• Roof spillage – Roof spillage is when water constantly pours over the side directly onto the stone’s exterior. This can lead to frost heaving, water leakage, moisture penetration, and more.
• Trees – Trees growing to close the foundation should be removed. Look at the branches of the tree and how far they spread out. Their roots are most likely the same distance away.