If you find a crack in your basement wall it needs to be repaired. Here are 10 quick tips about basement wall repair to help you know what you may be dealing with and how to handle it.
1.) No foundation crack is OK to ignore.
Foundation cracks let in water, soil gases, insects, rodents, and (it is worth repeating) water. Water even in the form of moisture, vapor, humidity or an active leak can cause serious damage in the way of mold, mildew, and rot. Even a hairline crack can let in water that can cause these problems.
2.) Some cracks are structural some are not.
Not every foundation crack means that your house is ready to collapse. Some cracks are not structural, meaning they weren’t caused by a moving foundation. Nonstructural cracks can be caused by hydrostatic pressure, tree roots or another outside force pushing on the foundation.
3.) If you see a vertical crack…
Vertical foundation cracks are often the least threat to the building. They are usually caused by the natural expansion and contraction of concrete. Through the years’ freeze-thaw cycles, the concrete expands and contracts causing the concrete to crack. When these vertical cracks are straight or slightly wandering and generally even in thickness, the risk is fairly low as far as affecting the structural integrity of the house.
4.) If you see a horizontal crack…
Generally, horizontal cracks are structural cracks usually caused from pressure building up on the opposite side of the wall from either an improper backfill or hydrostatic pressure.
5.) Surface treatments (like caulking) don’t work on basement walls.
Caulking or other surface treatments that you can find in the hardware store don’t work on basement walls. Professional grade crack injection materials are designed to withstand the pressure either of a moving foundation or outside pressure that is heavy enough to crack concrete.
6.) Some cracks need polyurethanes
The cracks that are nonstructural and just leaking will need a polyurethane crack injection material. Most polyurethanes are flexible and move with the crack if it happens to move with a freeze-thaw cycle of the concrete.
7.) Some cracks need epoxy
If a crack is moving, expanding and contracting with the concrete or widening you will most likely need an epoxy. Epoxy hardens to a rigid material that actually chemically bonds to the concrete so the cracks stops moving.
8.) If the crack is moving you may need a crack stabilizer like carbon fiber staples
Sometimes a crack needs more of a stabilizer than just merely epoxy and a contractor will recommend pairing it with carbon fiber staples or ties. Carbon fiber is a proven method to strengthen a foundation wall. Carbon fiber is an incredibly strong, lightweight manmade material that found its place in the foundation repair industry about 20 years ago. Some carbon fiber systems actually are used for more than crack repair and are used to stabilize a bowing block wall.
9.) Sometimes foundation cracks mean serious damage
If you multiple foundation cracks on adjacent walls or if the problems are moving upstairs—such as sticking doors and windows, cracks in the walls and sheetrock upstairs, or damage to the chimney it may be a sign of foundation settlement. If your house is indeed on loose or unstable soil, then you may need to look into underpinning or piers that will set your house on solid footings again.
10.) Call a professional
Do not, we repeat, DO NOT DO foundation repair work yourself. The average homeowner does not have the know-how to pull it off safely. Unless you have experience as a structural engineer, you could cause damage to yourself and your house if you try to do foundation wall repair work yourself. Call a professional basement waterproofer or structural repair contractor to assess your situation. Most contractors offer free inspections and estimates. It is important to understand the seriousness of your situation and see the best options to fix it.
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One of the standout features of the StablWall system is its adaptability. No matter the architectural challenge, StablWall rises to the occasion with ease. Its versatility allows for various application methods, ensuring a seamless fit for any project. Whether it’s horizontal reinforcement, vertical support, stair-step stability, or a corner wrap, StablWall can handle it all with the utmost efficiency and effectiveness.
