The Problem with Using Cement
Cement Applied as an Exterior Coat
It would seem the most obvious choice for durable overcoat would be cement. In later years, the Hutmachers did, in fact, use cement as an exterior coating.
While cement is durable and certainly reduces the maintenance on the exterior walls, it has some undesirable characteristics.
Moisture is biggest concern in a sandstone wall. There is an old adage for building stone-slab buildings: “Keep the head and feet dry”. In other words -- keep the water out of the walls.
The problem with a cement overcoat is that it cracks over time and lets water into the wall when it rains, but doesn’t allow the wall dry out during dry periods.
The moisture retained in the walls deteriorates the sandstone and clay mortar. While the wall may appear solid from the outside, the interior is gradually weakened over time and will eventually fail.
A cement overcoat on the original north wall of the Hutmacher home caused the wall to bow out. This wall had to be rebuilt to be able to hold the weight of the roof.
The Problem with Cement
