Homeowner Forum / Construction / March 2005

I don't understand your description, there shouldn't be a "channel"
going through your wall, it should be solid cement. The only thing I
can think of about the size of a dime is a snap tie, and in that case,
the snap tie should still be in the wall.

Is the hole the shape of a cone?

In any case, it should be sealed on the outside of the wall. Once water
gets into a concrete wall, damage is already being done, whether or not
it penetrates to the space inside the wall.

It can be parged and dampproofed from the outside, but any fix from the
inside is temporary at best. I've written about it on my web page. It's
available here: http://phoenixhomesinc.com/basement.htm

Another suggestion I would make is to take a picture of it, post it to
a web site, and give us the URL. That way, we can all look at it, and
we may be able to give you an answer that way.

Best of luck, and let us know how it comes out!

Hello
If the 'channel' was allowing water through the foundation then it must be
contiupus through the foundation or else the concrete has excessive porosity
to allow this to happen.
When mix patterns are designed they are at their optimum when created as
close to laboratory condition as is possible.  This is to say that it is
created as one at the same time.  When concrete has hardened or cured the
hydration process has completed, the expansion and contraction processes
have finished and only minor chemical reactions continue but were you to
introduce a new 'pellet' of cement with exactly the same cement in the
concrete in as the original; mix then as it cures the cement will expand and
may split the original member that you are attempting to repair.  The
Japanese use this method to rip buildings apart in area where explosives
cannot be used.
Look inside the building while another pours water on to the repair an
confirm if it is leaking.  If it is then you have every right on Gods Earth
to panic else marry a very wealty woman.