Basement walls help the structure of a home stay sound, which is reason enough to keep them properly maintained when planning a basement remodel. Water pressure from the soil surrounding the foundation, or freezing and thawing during temperature changes, can cause basement walls to crack.
Basement wall repairs are best done with a caulking gun and an epoxy-based resin. To heal most cracks, particularly those in the mortar between concrete block, you can place the tip of the tube of epoxy into the crack and squeeze the trigger to apply the sealant. If the crack requires two coats of epoxy, then allow first layer of sealant to dry before applying a second.
fixing cracks in concrete basement walls
Many do-it-yourself kits are available for these basement wall repairs. The kits often include everything necessary for repairing cracks, such as tools and application instructions, not just for concrete block but poured walls, too.
While concrete cracks appear to be typical, it is not recommended that they remain ignored. Most homeowners best identify concrete cracks in their basement, either on the foundation wall or on the floor. They may also recognize cracks on the garage floor, patio or in-ground pool.
Fortunately, there is an easy way to permanently repair such cracks without the need for costly and disruptive excavation or drain tile. Poured foundation cracks may be repaired by using low-pressure injection of an epoxy or polyurethane foam material. For the repair of concrete floor cracks, certain epoxies and polyurea materials exists, suitable for such slab repairs.
The application of such materials may be completed by a basement waterproofing contractor or a do-it-yourself homeowner. Either way, the repair of concrete cracks in either the foundation or the slab may efficiently and effectively be completed in as little as an hour or more.
Cole launched his company in 1987, after coming up with the concept of dual-cartridge dispensing of two-component materials using a spring-assisted dispensing tool similar to a caulking gun. The application that seemed to show the most promise for his dual-cartridge system was low-pressure injection of cracks in concrete. That gave him the impetus to develop a line of epoxies and polyurethane foams specifically formulated for those types of repairs.
The whole purpose is to fill the crack, from front to back, with epoxy or polyurethane. "For basement walls, low-pressure injection is the best way to ensure that the crack is completely filled," Cole maintains. This method is effective for filling cracks 0.002 to 1 inch wide in walls up to 12 inches thick. It can also be used to fill cracks in concrete floors and ceilings.
So which material is better for repairing concrete cracks: epoxy or polyurethane foam? The answer isn't always clear-cut. In many cases, either material can accomplish the task, and applicators may simply choose the material they have the most experience with. But here are some general guidelines: If the crack needs to be structurally repaired and the area needs to be as strong or stronger than the concrete around it, use an epoxy. If the crack needs to be repaired only to prevent water leakage or the crack is actively leaking, a polyurethane is usually the best choice. Here's a look at the advantages and limitations of each material.
The main advantage of epoxies is their amazing compressive strength, which at 12,000 psi or greater exceeds that of most concrete. That's why epoxies are the only choice for cracks requiring structural repair. However, epoxies cure very slowly, generally taking hours to harden. This can be an advantage because it allows time for the epoxy to flow into even the smallest crevices. On the other hand, its also possible for the epoxy to flow out of the backside of the crack before it has hardened if the backfill outside the wall has separated from the foundation.
Using low-pressure crack injection, foundation and basement crack repair kits seal basement cracks from the inside, eliminating the need to excavate the soil from around the outside of the foundation. The kits are available with all the tools and materials needed to treat cracks ranging from 10 to 60 feet in length and include step-by-step written instructions as well as a video tutorial.
You can choose from crack repair kits that use either an injectable polyurethane foam or an epoxy, depending on the type of cracks you have. Polyurethane crack injection kits are recommended for non-structural leaking cracks resulting from concrete shrinkage or minor settlement while epoxy injection kits are designed to treat more severe cracks that compromise the structural integrity of the wall.
Low-pressure injection is ideal for fixing cracks in most poured-in-place residential basements. But in some cases you may need to pursue other remedial measures, along with crack sealing, to guarantee a complete fix.
Similarly, crack injection can work hand in hand with carbon fiber reinforcement to stabilize and reinforce poured foundation basement walls that have bowed and cracked. "We often recommend the use of carbon fiber stitching in conjunction with crack injection repairs," says Cole. "It's better than stitching the crack with rebar and improves the chances that the crack will not reopen if there's ongoing, unforeseeable movement of the wall."
Cole says that crack injection is not a solution for fixing cracks in masonry block foundation walls. It also can't be used if water is leaking from a crack between the seam of the wall and the slab, which indicates a water table problem.
The walls outside your basement are taking on a tremendous amount of hydrostatic pressure. That pressure is a buildup of groundwater around and outside your basement walls, also known as the false water table. The walls will subtly push inward and produce a crack.
As a homeowner that is always up for the challenge to fix and prevent any potential problems under my own roof, knowing how to seal basement walls was something I was determined to master. After all, if basement water intrusion is ignored for a long period of time, it can create extensive structural damage and mold problems. To avoid that from becoming my reality, I turned to Flex Seal to waterproof my basement walls.
If the walls in your basement are actively leaking, identify the problem at the source. Just sealing your basement walls without finding the root cause is not recommended. You should determine whether you need to add gutters at your roofline, install proper drainage measures, or complete a separate exterior repair to prevent water from entering your home.
Founded in 1996, Acculevel has been repairing both commercial and residential foundations for decades. Our materials are designed for use with concrete, and we specialize in repair methods that are uniquely suited for buildings made of concrete. We have restored and stabilized foundations for tens of thousands of homeowners, and want to address all of your questions about wall cracks.
Depending on your foundation type, severe hydrostatic pressure will cause one of two crack types. If your basement has poured concrete, it will develop a horizontal crack. If your basement wall is concrete block, it can develop either a horizontal or a stair-step crack.
A well-qualified contractor who specializes in basement wall cracks is the best person to go to when deciding on the method you should use. Homeowners should consider using a more permanent method as the results will be long-lasting. Even though the upfront cost may be higher, it will save you money and time in the long run.
Foundation cracks are repaired using various methods, including underpinning with push piers, helical piers, drilled concrete piers, or slab piers. Wall cracks can be repaired directly using wall anchors, carbon fiber wall straps, epoxy, and steel I-beams.
Crawl space foundation wallsWhen foundation cracks appear in poured concrete walls supporting a crawl space foundation the cause is usually foundation settlement. Foundation piers are the most effective solution to combat this. Carbon fiber patches can be applied to structurally reinforce the cracked concrete. This seals the crack and ensures that the crack will not worsen over time.
When the soil becomes oversaturated, the earth around your foundation will likely expand. A majority of foundations are constructed to withstand such pressure so the extra weight of this saturated soil can actually make the walls push inward. This is when you notice the angled cracks in the corners of the walls or windows. What causes oversaturation? There could be many causes, including poor gutters, improper grading, or even lack of an underground downspout extension or sump pump.
If you are located in Maryland, Washington, DC, or Virginia, the team at Triad Waterproofing is here to serve you. We have worked on countless basements, fixing cracks, leaks, and a plethora of other problems. You can depend on our crew to restore your basement to working order. Having a basement that is strong and stable is essential to the safety and wellbeing of your entire property, so make sure to get foundation cracks repaired sooner rather than later.
Horizontal cracks in your basement foundation are serious. This type of crack is often due to unbalanced soil and hydrostatic water pressuring pressing against your foundation wall. You may notice the foundation bowing inwards and water leaking into your basement. Both block and poured foundations can develop horizontal cracks.
Block foundations are prone to stair-step cracks. These types of cracks happen along mortar joints and pose a serious threat to the integrity of your basement foundation. There are two common causes of stair-step cracks:
Vertical cracks in your foundation wall are less serious than horizontal cracks and do not pose a structural threat. They are commonly found in poured foundations running straight up and down your wall. In Ottawa, vertical cracks are one of the most crack types found in basements. They are caused by the foundation settling overtime or the natural concrete curing process 2ff7e9595c
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