Vent: Wrong mortar mix on a basement wall in St. Louis

I showed up to a job last week and the homeowner already had the blocks laid with type N mortar for a foundation wall. That stuff won't hold up against ground moisture and pressure, it's meant for interior work. Anyone else deal with people using the wrong mix and expecting it to last?

2 comments

2 Comments

zara4472d ago

Oh come on, Type N is fine for a basement wall in most situations if it's done right. The whole "Type N is only for interior" thing is way overblown. I've been doing masonry in this area for 15 years and I've seen Type N hold up just fine in all sorts of basements including wet ones. The real problem is usually the drainage and waterproofing on the outside, not the mortar itself. Type S is stronger but it's way harder to work with and you get a worse bond if the mason isn't careful. If the wall is built properly with good drainage and a vapor barrier, Type N will outlast the house.

elliotjenkins2d ago

Did a buddy of yours use Type N in his crawlspace too?