Dear Glenn: I was looking for what you would recommend to seal the gap between my brick house and mortar-and-brick patio. The house was built in the mid-'70s, so I am assuming the brick patio wasn't far behind since some of its mortar joints need some care but the joint between the house and patio is all cracked, chipped and missing.

I am getting some water coming in underneath the sill for the door and I have no idea what I should be using to repair the joint and, hopefully, keep out the water. I also have a joint in the basement wall along where the house and patio meet and it is also leaking. I believe it should be pressure-treated like a crack would be. Please help.

Ryan, via email

Dear Ryan: Poured basement walls should be injected for long-lasting results. Mr. Sponge, (800) 491-4686, www.mrsponge.com, has more blue ribbons and trophies than anyone when it comes to concrete injection.

To fill those joints, first use a backer rod and push into the joint leaving about 1 ½ inches below the surface then fill with a self-leveling caulk material such as Pecora NR-201 Self-Leveling Sealant available at Specialty Sealants, (586) 979-7770, www.specialtysealantsinc.com, in Sterling Heights.