Brick Foundation - Water Concerns

[ivanlocke]

Hello,

We have a building with what looks to be a brick foundation (layer of bricks turned perpendicular to wall with 2 brick deep wall underneath). A new sidewalk has just been poured up to the building foundation with expansion joing material between.

We have concerns about water and freeze/thaw causing a faster deterioration of the bricks and mortar. The sidewalk does have a 2-3% grade away from the building, but we have a wheelchair ramp along the building which I'm sure will send water right into the crack along with just water coming down the wall.

Is there going to be increased deterioration due to the sidewalk and joint material compared to when it was just soil around (joint material might hold moisure against the brick)? The foundation is not in great condition now - at least the top edge We were thinking of maybe pouring a curb against the building over the exposed brick foundation to keep and water out of the joint and keep the deteriorating edge from progressing further in, or maybe try to use some flashing to keep the water out of the joint?

Any help would be apperciated.

 

[SteveBausch]

"Expansion jointing material", is that the same as "caulk backing", "backer rod", etc.?

Is there room to apply a caulking, or would the expansion joint need to be cleaned out, backer rod installed, and then proceed with caulking?

 

[jheidt2543]

Using the expansion joint between the concrete walk and the brick was just the right thing to do. Now, use a flexible caulk, such as Tremco's, in a "Limestone" color to match the walk. Check the brick mortar joints, they may need tuckpointing to keep the water out of the wall above the walk. If the joints are in good condition, then you can use a silicone waterproofing agent on the brick to help keep moisture out.

 

[ivanlocke]

Thanks.
For some reason I wasn't thinking about a flexible caulk. I thought about using some mortar for the same purpose but didn't like that idea.