BASEMENT FOUNDATION CRACK REPAIR

Why Is It Important to Repair Basement Foundation Cracks?

If there are cracks in your basement’s foundation, it will allow the water inside your basement. As a result, your basement will develop moisture problems like mould, mildew, dampness, etc. These moisture problems make the environment very unhealthy and can be detrimental to you and your family. Moisture problems also impose health risks, like – coughing, wheezing, skin irritation, etc. People with mould allergies experience the most severe symptoms. Moisture problems impose severe health risks on people having asthma or some other underlying lung conditions. When you repair your basement foundation cracks, all the water is routed back outside, thereby making your basement problem-free. When your basement is free of these sorts of problems, you can use it as a living space or in any way you please. Having a fully functional basement automatically adds value to your property, i.e., if you want to sell it in the future, you won’t have any problems. You can set the price of your house at your desired amount. So, if you spot any cracks in your basement foundation, don’t delay and immediately seek professional help. If you wait, these cracks will widen and worsen, thereby increasing the risk factors.

How Can We Help?

There are several ways of repairing basement foundation cracks, depending on the type of cracks and the cause of those cracks. Our experts at Flood Tech are efficient in determining the kind of cracks and repairing methods it demands. 

• If the cracks are present in a poured concrete foundation, our experts fill these cracks with expanding, flexible urethane sealant. As these walls are monolithic and solid, our experts use an injection method for pouring the sealant. We can’t fill the cracks present in the stone, brick, or block with this sealant. These walls comprise many pieces (like a puzzle), and these pieces are held together with a porous mortar. So, our experts use a trowel-on, flexible elastomeric membrane for repairing these walls from the outside. We can also use Epoxy, but it doesn’t prevent your wall from cracking again if the ground pressure pushes against it.
• If you have previously repaired cracks that somehow cracked again, then our experts have got that covered as well. It is a unique challenge, and it demands some additional preparation and knowledge for choosing the proper method of sealing those cracks again. Our experts inject Urethane into the cracks, and then they seal the cracks from outside using an elastomeric membrane or sodium bentonite. 

Foundation crack repair techniques

1. Crack Injection: A flexible epoxy or polyurethane resin is injected into the crack to fill and seal it. This method can be used for both small and large cracks.

2. Carbon Fiber Stitching: Carbon fiber strips are applied to the crack to provide additional strength and stability to the concrete.

3. Steel Reinforcement: Steel bars or mesh may be used to reinforce the concrete and prevent further cracking.

4. Concrete Cutting: The concrete is cut and removed, and a new section of concrete is installed to replace the damaged area.

5. Mudjacking: Concrete slurry is injected under the settling concrete to lift and level it. This method can be used for settling foundations.

6. Piering: Concrete piers are installed deep into the ground to support the settling foundation and prevent further settling.

The appropriate technique for a specific crack repair job depends on the size and location of the crack, as well as the cause of the cracking.

The most important thing that you need to keep in mind is that only fixing the foundation cracks won’t do you any good because they might crack again. Once our experts repair the cracks, they can offer you the basement drainage service. In this, we will install an effective drainage system in your basement that will prevent water from entering your basement. These drainage systems are very effective. If some water manages to get inside your basement, these drainage systems can reroute them back outside and somewhere far away from your foundation. 

How epoxy or polyurethane is used to repair concrete cracks

Epoxy and polyurethane are two common materials used for concrete crack repair. The process is as follows:

1. Cleaning: The crack is thoroughly cleaned to remove any dirt, dust, or debris.

2. Preparing the surface: The surface around the crack is roughened to ensure better adhesion.

3. Injection: The epoxy or polyurethane resin is injected into the crack using a pressure injection system. The material flows into the crack, filling and sealing it.

4. Curing: The injected material is left to cure and harden, typically for several hours.

5. Finishing: The surface around the crack may be smoothed or sanded to blend in with the surrounding concrete.

Epoxy is a strong and durable material that is ideal for repairing smaller, non-moving cracks. Polyurethane is a flexible material that can accommodate movement, making it suitable for larger or active cracks. The choice of material depends on the specific needs of each repair job.