Basement crack repair is critical to the safety of your family. Cracks in the foundation of your home cause cracks in the walls, which lead to moisture buildup, and eventually to the permeability of the interior of the home itself. Not only does this affect the structural integrity of your home, but it can also lead to mold and mildew in your home, leading to respiratory problems as well.
Most basements begin to expand at around the time of basement construction. Most homeowners expect that when their basement begins to expand it will contract back. However, the expansion and contraction of the earth beneath your foundation walls, and the accompanying soil movement and groundwater pressure can cause cracks to widen over time. If you notice cracks expanding or closing, then you should contact a qualified contractor for basement crack repair. This type of damage, known as crack progression, is very difficult to fix once it happens.
Basement wall crack repair should include an assessment of the actual condition of your foundation walls. If there is visible damage on the exterior of the wall, including cracks or signs of water seepage, then you will probably need a new foundation wall. However, if you are seeing internal signs of damage (including visible condensation), then you might just need some re-walling done. Basement wall crack repair should include an assessment of these needs as well as an assessment of the structural integrity of your home.
In many cases, you can complete most repairs yourself, including some simple foundation cracks repair, without hiring a professional contractor. In order to get started with your own repairs, you will need to learn how to read a basement moisture report. In the past, you would have had to go to a contractor to receive one, but today you can get a more economical, but still detailed moisture report online for free. You will need to identify any areas of concern with the moisture levels, such as leaks or damaged insulation. Once you have these items identified, you can begin to begin your basement repair project.
Basement wall crack repair can also be completed using low-pressure injection. This method is not recommended for basement walls that are simply cracks or mildew. The low-pressure method, however, can work on more than just cracks and mildew – it can also be used to treat larger interior gaps and large exterior cracks. This type of repair process can also be used on basement floor cracks, as it is less invasive than the high-pressure methods. However, you will need a large enough hole for the injection solution, as well as a dedicated plumbing and drain system to move the solution into the crawl space.
When you are repairing your foundation walls, you should know about the different types of cracks, which are commonly associated with the different types of soil conditions in your area. Foundation wall cracks tend to be caused by soil expansion and contraction, especially in wetter climates. For this reason, it is usually accompanied by accompanying drainage problems. These include issues with sewer pipes that get clogged with roots or other matter, as well as the slow release of ground water. Ground water moving toward the surface causes soil pressure, which often pushes up on foundation walls, causing them to become weaker and eventually crumble.
If your crawl space has not had adequate draining for quite some time, then it is quite likely that it will be filled with saturated soil, which will cause this kind of cracking to occur. The only way to stop this from happening is with a low-pressure injection system. However, even in these cases, if the problem is not addressed promptly, it could spread and potentially damage the whole foundation wall area. For this very reason, you should never attempt any basement wall repairs without consulting an expert. Any cracks or holes that appear in your basement walls should be taken care of by professionals right away.
The best basement waterproofing cracks sealants are the ones that correct the problem while leaving the underlying area completely intact. These types of waterproofing agents will penetrate down far enough into the earth to ensure that nothing is damaged in the process. Once they have been applied, they will bond with any clay or soil particles in the area to prevent further damage and erosion. The waterproofing agent will even be able to make an actual mold inhibitor, which can be extremely beneficial in case of mold issues. In order to have these sorts of seals applied correctly, you need to consult a professional that specializes in basement waterproofing cracks.