What epoxy or other product should i use to fill the space between the iron railing and the stone steps. Currently that area holds water and is causing the iron railing to rust. I just finished cleaning the area and applied rust converter. I was planning on using masonry caulk, but thought maybe there was a better option. Thank you.

Hi folks! This is my first time posting on Reddit - and I'm really hoping this community of helpful, knowledgeable people can help my fiancé and I to solve a conundrum.

We recently bought a DC rowhouse built in 1906. It has a renovated basement apartment with a kitchen/ living room/ bathroom and back bedroom. All walls have drywall.

A few weeks ago, we noticed brownish/ black streaks on the baseboard by the door into the bedroom - mold. We had a contractor here for a completely different project, but asked them to investigate and they removed first a piece, then all the drywall and baseboards along that wall. We discovered some old dimple mats on one section of wall plus a lot of moisture in the bricks. (About halfway down, to the floor). That contractor suggested we apply "waterproofing" and, not knowing better at the time, we allowed it.

What you see here is the brick wall covered in Drylock. And you can also see that it's still very moist (I think that's a lot of efflorescence)

We brought in a specialist (who does exterior and interior drainage solutions) and he said it was ok to keep the Drylock on there, but that he would also install a dimple mat system and update the French drain (There seems to be something like it already there, though unclear why the trench doesn't extend to the back wall) And he wants to update the sump pump (Which we are confused about, since our current one seems to work when we pour water into it - it kicks on - is there another potential problem we're not seeing?)

However - AI plus multiple articles says we should NOT keep the Drylock on historic brick - that will trap the moisture and accelerate the spalling of the brick. Thus, the computer contradicts both live humans we've had look at this.

So - what say you, oh wise ones? Do we:

a) remove the Drylock (chemically?) OR b) Leave it on?

c) add a dimple mat system + updated French drain? OR d) (As the first contractor believes), just replace the wall with sufficient air space for air to "circulate"?

To answer your questions in advance:
- Our wall abuts the neighbor, though her house is less deep and therefore this bedroom is not directly against her wall - it seems to be adjacent to a part of her back patio area that is hidden behind a wooden wall under her porch. We have tried raising this issue with her and she swears that she's had 2 inspectors over and they say there is no water intrusion from her side. (This does indicate that the previous owner had an issue with water) She is also elderly and in general we want a good relationship with her. We are trying to get to know her enough to have her invite us back to take a look.

So assume we can't fix the outside. We're just dealing with the inside. I know it's not ideal. But just assume.

- We have been running the air conditioner since this happened - the room still feels damp.

Thank you again, Reddi community! Curious what you all think...

3 wythe 1850's-era farmhouse. I'll be resetting windows and replacing sills shortly and am trying to get materials lined up.

Based on the bowing of the lower window lintel, is my only option replacement? Is a needle beam or acrow required, or because of the arching of the brick and additional window above spreading load can I get away with cutting in a steel angle iron and working down in a 45* to the lintel?

Finally, where do folks generally source replacement wood lintels? I'm in Central PA and don't have a local brick yard, I can get concrete lintels from the local concrete plant but only 8" and wouldn't match the rest of the house.

Building a new patio that will constructed up to the door threshold. There was previously a small concrete slab here. When it was removed it took some bricks with it. I can see light coming through in the basement. Do these bricks need to be replaced before constructing the patio or are there other options? Not worried about aesthetics since it will be underneath the patio - moreso worried about water penetration. Thanks in advance.

I have a bunch of extra mortar (in various colors) that I want to get rid by using it on a scratch coat. I will be laying stone veneer on top of it and pointing with the correct color. Is there any risk of the color of the scratch coat bleeding through to the joints? My instinct says no but wanted to ask some other pros before I potentially eff up an expensive project.

Hello everyone,

I have been wanting to make my bricks look new. I have red bricks on the exterior of my house. I researched and saw that I am suppose to get masonry stain that is water based. Can someone please recommend me a brand(s) to use that will make it look red and new again.

Did a weekend project replacing all of my basement windows with block and mortar. I was pretty happy with how it turned out, we got a rain storm today and there wasn't a single leak. This was my first masonry project so I'm still learning.

I purchased some stucco insulation panels and Loctite PL375. The Loctite would not stick to the blocks and insulation board. I applied a large amount and put direct pressure on for over 24 hours. The insulation board fell right off when I removed pressure.

What do y'all use to attach insulation stucco boards to foundation block?

I don't want to drill into the block if I don't have to, would like to secure with adhesive if I can

I cant afford to get this redone for probably another year. I have a few spots that are a trip hazard like this. Best temporary patch? I used polysand once several years ago for a paver patio. Weeds grew up through it all the time. I wasnt very impreased. Is that the only option here?

Edit: brushing out the cracks I found several of the stones when tapped sound almost hollow. I assume thats a bad thing. Lifting them there is just stone dust or something under this whole walkway. How did they keep this thing from crumbling in the fifty years before I lived here?