Holes In My Foundation Wall

robertc65

I have a bunch of holes around the outside of my foundation. It seems that the bees have now discovered them, and are starting to setup shop. Is this just a result of poor workmanship or something else. It appears that it may getting worse as time goes on. Should I be concerned about this and if so who fixes this sort of thing? Photos included.

Thanks

Rob

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Same Old

Nothing to be concerned about. They are simply small voids. A little too high of a water to cement ratio on the mix probably. You can patch them if you want to keep the bees out.

robertc65

Thanks for your quick response. last year I didn't pay any attention to it, but this year the bees seem extra aggresive. Maybe they knew I planning to get out the spray once they were in for the night.

Rob

Ted W

Clean em out and patch em with hydraulic cement.

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Carpentry and Woodworking - Chicago / North Shore - Ted's Carpentry

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woodmagman

I have seen concrete do that when chucks of ice get into the mix, it looks like other debis may have been used as aggregate. Your mix is only as strong as the aggregate. Sticks and crap do not have much tensile or compressive strength when compared to rock

cbtexas

I would just patch them over with some concrete patch compound.

JustaFramer

Water to cement ratio has nothing to do with it.

That is caused from over stinging with the vibrator. Over vibration will cause air pockets.

This is nothing to get concerned about like rock pockets.

Just sack the pockets and forget about it. All you need is a bag of grout and some sand nothing fancy which is a waste of money. Give it a 3 to 1 ratio of grout and sand mix it a little dry with water and you have a perfect mix. Smooth is out with a margin trowel and be done.

concretemasonry

Nothing structural.

I see three different cosmetic problems that can be patched by anyone. I also see some possible problems that were patched earlier. Some possible aggregate quality problems in the concrete.

Built in the winter or just the usual quality problems with residential poured walls?

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Dick

Engineer, designer and consultant recently active domestically and internationally on construction and design in about 35 countries.

Tscarborough

The one with rebar showing should be cleaned with Phosopho before patching.