Fieldstone Foundation Assistance
Located in southwest PA. Recently started again on a large project that will be my residence when completed. This wall is fully below grade, home built 1917, much of the mortar is disintegrating when gently disturbed. Staircase has been removed due to water damage from 50+ years of sitting against it, and you can see the large hole thats formed.
I've done a fair number of masonry projects including repointing, building chimneys, etc - but my question comes to mortar replacement. Obviously modern mixes wont work, and I've been lead to believe that a Natural Hydraulic Lime mix is what I need for such soft stone, hardness 3.5. But I cannot find it anywhere outside of Lancaster Lime Works, and shipping is insane.
All measures are being taken to remediate any obvious water intrusion from outside alleyway (HD sika construction sealant).
Can I make my own mix with sourced components? Even with 5+ concrete/masonry distributors nearby, no one seemed to have any advice or product.