The Curb Appeal Series: Foundation Refacing

Do you remember way back in June and July when we worked on our Curb Appeal? And do you remember how stinking hot it got in July and August?

Yeah. So do we.

We couldn’t imagine anyone wanting to work outside in the hot sun on their curb appeal. So we saved two of our favourite DIY projects from The Curb Appeal Series to share with you now.

You know, now that the weather is all cool and nice again.

And you won’t die from heat exhaustion just stepping out your front door.

What are a guy and girl to do when they buy a house with a concrete block foundation that someone, at some point in time, has painted and said paint is chipping and peeling and well, just plain ugly?

They REFACE it!

But what if said guy and girl don’t want to spend a small fortune to reface their chipping, peeling, painted concrete block foundation using landscaping stone?

They DIY it with a product called Ledgestone instead!

Sassi Ledgestone is only $7.95 per 6″x24″ piece. That’s something like HALF what the traditional landscaping stone costs!

The total bonus with the Ledgestone?

It’s super easy to install.

Supplies

• putty knife/scraper/drill with wire brush attachment
• broom
• three foot level
• 2x4s and random bits for makeshift supports
• Sassi 6″x24″ Ledgestone (colour of choice, enough for space)
• construction adhesive
• angle grinder with diamond blade
• small bench and clamps
• safety glasses and gloves
• sealant

Step 1

The first thing that needs to be done is to remove any loose paint. Not all of the paint, just the loose paint. We used both a drill with a wire brush attachment and a scraper. Sweep away an loose debris.

Step 2

Using a level, line 2x4s along the ground. Prop them level with other wood or stones. These makeshift supports will stay in place until after the Ledgestone adhesive dries. You don’t want any slipping or crooked Ledgestone!

Step 3

Apply construction adhesive to the back side of the Ledgestone in a squiggly pattern. It’s pretty sticky stuff, so don’t overdo it.

Step 4

Starting on one end of the foundation, affix one full piece of Ledgestone at a time. Note some pieces sticking out past the end of the foundation – these get trimmed later.

Step 5

Continue applying full “sheets” of Ledgestone side by side and one up until no more full “sheets” will fit.

Step 6

Measure the remaining spaces one at a time. Then, using the angle grinder fitted with a diamond blade, cut individual pieces of Ledgstone (clamp them to the bench while cutting for safety) to fit in all the smaller spots. Affix to foundation wall with Construction Adhesive.

Step 7

After the adhesive dries thoroughly (follow recommendations on the package), trim off excess pieces of Ledgestone at the corners with the grinder and diamond blade.

Step 8

Seal the whole thing with an exterior masonry sealer. Admittedly we haven’t completed this step yet. Gasp! We’re living on the edge. But we totally plan to. And we expect YOU will do it if you tackle this project, m’kay!

A couple of tips:

• wear safety glasses while cutting Ledgestone
• you can purchase corner pieces of Ledgestone for a more refined corner if you wish
• ask your Home Depot for which sealer and which adhesive to use for your area (weather and all that!)

What do you think of our new foundation wall? Do you like the refacing? Do any of you have old chippy peeling painted foundations that could use a facelift?

The Foundation Refacing project was sponsored by The Home Depot as part of The Curb Appeal Series. All work, ideas and opinions are – as always – our own! For all of our policies, please visit our Policies page.

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