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Community and Q&A

Gap between concrete footing and block

chrisgermain80 | Posted in General Questions on

Hey everyone. I have step a step footer and obviously my home is built into a hillside.

My question is can I or should I patch this gap (see attached picture) between the upper footer and the lower row of block?? This picture was taken from inside the crawlspace and I plan to seal the outside of the block. How would I seal the block with this gap between the block and the upper footer? I dont want water getting in here but not sure if I patch the gap with mortar and then seal over that??

Thanks for any help

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Replies

  1. Peter Yost | | #1

    Hi Chris -

    Always way better to waterproof from the exterior than the interior. And always better to waterproof than damproof; waterproof has crack-spanning capacity and resists water under hydrostatic pressure to a minimum of 8 feet.

    Take a look at this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKRIPHq7WtY

    And the best way to avoid hydrostatic pressure is with a perimeter drainage system at your footer.

    With these two defenses, I would not worry about the interior gap in your photo.

    Peter

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