Foundation maintenance.... how does one do this?

I recently noticed that two corners of my foundation have broken (one is cracked the the other has literally fallen off). I called a foundation repair company and was told that that the condition was a cosmetic rather than a structural problem. So I'm thinking about tackling the repairs myself... I just don't know exactly what needs to be done.

These two pictures show the cracked corner. I had just patched one side and the next day while doing some landscaping I hit the foundation with a wheel barrow, breaking the "skin", and revealing the crack on the other side.

Repaired side


What I saw after bump with a wheelbarrow.


Seeing that startled me... so I went in to the backyard to have a smoke and contemplate.... when I noticed this piece, located caddycorner from the other crack had completely fallen off.





I figure the first one I figure I'll patch the cracks with hydraulic cement and cover. The second one I'm stumped as to how to patch. If it were a sidewalk I'd lay forms and pour a new corner. But if I lay a form on this, there's no way to pour in my patch.

I'm hoping someone has experience with this type of repair/maintenance and can give me some tips on how to proceed. Thanks.

I used mortar mix on some of my bad spots. That stuff they use on stamped concrete might work better.

I'd power wash it or wire brush and hose off, then trowel on mortar with silicone additive a bit at a time. My foggy brain tells me the silicone makes it hold/stick better.

By the looks of the pics, you have a post-tension slab. After slabs are poured and all exterior work is done, many builders come back and perform a beam patch. It is cosmetic, but also keeps the metal anchors and nails from rusting.

I would wire brush the area thoroughly, put a coat of "milk" on it (white concrete adhesion promoter). Mix a high PSI concrete patch and apply it fairly dry to avoid it running. Build it up slowly and finish with a light broom finish texture.

I buy it in bulk from my supply company, but you can find the Sikaflex brand at Home Depot in the concrete tool aisle.

You can do it, just take your time and prep it well.

Hope this helps ,

Helps a alot... one of the things that I need advice on is material.... I was imagining putting some 1/4" holes in the foundation to set some wire in the patch... and was also wondering about an adhesive to help it stick... guess I'll mull it over a few more days...

Not unusual for the corners to crack off. The other is simple porraging over the slab. As suggested use a good concrete adhesive, rebuild the corner (you can drill some holes an place short pieces of rebar to tie it to the slab. Knock and loose porraging off and just replace and brush blend it in.

wire/wash it, apply bonding agent (sonocrete is one of the bonding agents we used) and reskim the exterior. You can do it w/ whatever trowel you have. I have done it w/ mason's trowel and float trowel...