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DIY Foundation Crack Repair
How to Repair Cracks in Foundations to Ensure
a Dry Basement
By Mark J. Donovan
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If considering finishing your
basement, the first thing that you need to do is to take a close look at
your home’s basement foundation walls and floors. It’s important to identify
and repair all foundation cracks, as well as any basement floor cracks,
prior to undertaking a basement remodeling project. If you elect not to
inspect and make the necessary foundation crack repairs you’re putting your
basement remodeling investment at major risk. Water leaks and high moisture
levels in a finished basement inevitably will cost you time, money, and
heartache. In addition, the mold and mildew growth that will inevitably grow
in the basement can become a major health hazard to you and your family.
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Foundation cracks are a very common
occurrence. They’re due for a variety of reasons. Chief among them is the home
naturally settling over time, and concrete shrinkage during the curing process.
In many cases house settling can be significantly prevented with good up-front
soil study and foundation construction. However for many homes, contractors take
short cuts during the foundation installation that lead to the foundation
cracks, e.g. inadequate and/or unpacked gravel for the footings. With concrete
curing, shrinkage is a normal part of the process.
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However, with proper preparation and
installation of the concrete, and the use of rebar, foundation cracks should be
minimal.
After identifying foundation cracks, it is important that they be repaired prior
to starting your basement remodeling project. Homeowners can make their own
DIY foundation crack repairs if they are minor dry cracks observed only on the
inside of the foundation walls.
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A polyurethane foam injection system or simply a tube of concrete filler made
from some type of epoxy can be used to seal the foundation cracks. If the
foundation cracks show signs of water penetration then hydraulic cement is
necessary. Hydraulic cement is sold in a dry powder form. To use it, simply add
water to the manufacturer’s recommendations, stir it up, and apply it to the
hairline foundation cracks. If the foundation cracks penetrate all the way
through the foundation wall then you most likely will need to call in the
professionals. |
For these types of foundation crack
repairs the soil will need to be excavated away from foundation walls to make
the repairs. Once the exterior foundation walls have been thoroughly cleaned and
have had time to dry, hydraulic cement or a similar foundation crack repair
sealer can be used to repair the foundation cracks.
If after excavating the soil from around the foundation it is determined that
there are significant structural issues with the foundation, then an engineer
may need to be called in to come up with a solution that will repair the
foundation and prevent it from further cracking and settling.
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