1/2" perfectly round holes suddenly found on my foundation wall outside

[rank beginner]

excellent suggestion, Smarty.

As for why so much emphasis on the origin of them -> Because I want to k now if there's any foul play, that's why!! We actually had a vandal damage the outside foundation wall once (albeit not the same side of the house). On that occasion, we heard the loud thump, thought the neighbor had a mower or other object accidentally roll into the wall, or something, but discovered somebody took a hammer to the wall (or maybe just a heavy blunt object, who knows) and struck the wall, causing a about a 15" across chip/crack that left a noticeable indentation. We had to patch it over but the stuff I bought at the store when dry became a darkish-grey color that makes it noticeable that it's a patch. We subsequently installed a security camera on that side of the house. So far, no more problems.

I just feel that any hole drilled > rank beginner........

[rank beginner]

hey, good analysis... yeah, it would explain the downward slope. somebody else also said it looked like the ones made when treating for termites. I can't rule that out now, it seems sensible and would explain a lot. I'm starting to feel better that it might not have been maliciousness by someone after all. That bothered me as much as the actual holes. Still, I never saw them before and there's no old crumbled cement pieces anywhere that might have covered them...hmm....the plot thickens.

Thank you to everyone who sincerely has offered their help and advice.

And those who think they're being funny with their infantile comments, already know how I feel about you. (see my previos posts for more details)

Chris

[Meat Plow]

Hi pot, called the kettle black did ya?

[rank beginner]

[Smarty]

rank beginner,

My comment and suggestion was based on the prior replies and consensus that experienced people here have offered...namely....that the holes are not new, are placed there deliberately rather than maliciously, and that the "foul play" and "suspicion" issues have been adequately and exhaustively addressed.

I personally agree with the comments that holes of this size and depth in normal foundation materials require considerable drilling effort accompanied by much noise, a lot of residue, and a much different appearance when recently drilled compared to what you show in your photos. I have to add that the notion of vandals taking the time to deliberately drill half inch holes in your foundation sounds like a topic for Jerry Springer, Comedy Central, the X-Files, or some combination thereof. Frankly, I think the forum members here have been generous in withholding skepticism, all things considered, especially as this thread has been churning for some time. The "principle of parsimony" and "Occam's Razor" as applied to science and engineering (and other fields as well) is: ***that the simplest explanation is generally the correct one***, and weep holes for drainage make a lot of sense considering where they are located on your wall.

For the reasons stated above, I encouraged you to take this to the next logical step, a remedy, if indeed you desire one or drop it.

Smarty

[Meat Plow]

I don't understand the anger on your end. I'm usually a pretty easy going dude but f*ck, you really rubbed a few people including me unnecessarily the wrong way.

[mm]

They are not made of marble.

Definitely rank. You tell him where to post pictures and then he insults you.

I think the holes are caused by auger rats. They do this just when their young are old enough to make it on their own, but still small enough to fit through the holes. Usually 5 to 10 per litter. In another 6 weeks they'll be able to drill their own holes. And they will, throughout the house.

[rank beginner]

Smarty, now why didn't someone reply with that kind of cogency 30 replies ago? Occam was a 12th century monk who unbeknownst to him, generated his own special type of metaphysics by attempting to posit only a nominal one...Anyhooo, back to the topic at hand:

So, if they are indeed were at one time drilled for seepage, do they need to be plugged? If so, I'd appreicate it if someone can suggest a specific product that would work for this application.

thanks again, Chrissy

[Edwin Pawlowski]

Nope, it just causes YOU to lose the respect of everyone else. You sure po'd a lot of people in a very short time. A simple guideline is to post only messages you'd not mind your sweet old grandmother reading, or your 12 year old daughter. There is never a good reason to show a lack of dignity and self respect.

[Larry W]

Carpenter bees make a hole so perfectly round it looks like it was drilled. 1/2" dia. is about the size they make too.

[RicodJour]

Why do you suspect "vandals" of drilling into your foundation? Outlandish supposition, outlandish thread.

Did Occam posit a special type of poster who is paranoid, defensive and generally insulting while asking strangers for help? Maybe he also addressed why someone would throw rocks at your house - from the tone of your posts I think I know the reason.

Can I? Yes.

R

[mm]

Because near the start of the thread you posted a silly reply, someone who had already given you a lot of help gave two lines of sarcasm, you replied like an ungrateful jerk, and that's what a lot of us decided you were.

And you were rude and vulgar to other people too.

And you're female? This kind of jerkiness is much less common in females, so within that segment of people, you must be a double jerk.

[Big Al]

Termite treatment.

Al

[Norminn]

Sounds like carpenter bees - sounds goofy, until you see them, because their holes look just like someone used a 1/2" drill. They are large, like a bumble bee, and the females sting. First I learned of them was on this n.g., then shortly after saw them at daughter's house.

[hallerb]

I believe it was holes for termite treatment.

Can probably explain how they just became visible:)

So many years ago they were drilled, and patched. No the patches age and detoriate. Eventually they are ready to fall apart when a heavy rain storm comes from a odd direction and washes them away. or someone sprayed the area with a garden hose.

this explains the particles around the holes, left overs from the washed out patch material.

so wash the area and holes with a garden hose, and while area is nice and moist use plain old mortar mix, it will start out lighter but darken with age.

I am 50, lived here since I was 12.

There are repair projects I have done here I have totally forgotten about over all this time, life is busy.

termite job was probably his parents.

[Stormin Mormon]

I was also following this thread. But, no more. Learn manners.

[HeyBub]

You are right to be concerned. The holes are exactly the right size for an Ammonium Nitrate explosive sabot (#UANA-2777-5) used for (among others) excavating salt in room-and-pillar mines. These are used in tandem with others for controlled, low explosive, detonations. Used properly, it's almost like carving rock!

Do you have any mining or similar activities in your area or, more importantly, know anybody involved with earth-moving operations?

[Jacque Asse]

If wood ..... consider carpenter bees ...also woodpeckers. Both pests can form essentialy perfect round holes.

[JoeSpareBedroom]

You think perhaps his foundation has been mistaken for a salt mine?

[Meat Plow]

Yes but can those things chew through concrete or sandstone or whatever that stuff is in her foundation?