How to DIY fix cracks in a foundation wall – learn from experts
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ToggleOne of the worst sights for a homeowner is to discover cracks in their foundation walls. In addition to making the house structure weak and susceptible to damage, cracks also promote water seepage which can cause flooding in the basement. Read on below about the 5 ways cracks are fixed in foundation walls.
Epoxy Injections
- This method is most suitable for cracks that have a width of less than or equal to 0.5mm. This method is most used by foundation repair companies because of its quick results and easy resolution of the problem. An important prerequisite for this method to work is waterproofing the foundation wall. The repair specialist will also advise against this method if there are a lot of cracks, or if the crack is active.
The cracks on the concrete surface are first cleaned and then sealed by epoxy injections. It is essential to find and repair major cracks first, and then use epoxy injections on the smaller ones. An important thing to consider while using this method is that epoxy isn’t durable against fire, elevated temperatures, and water seepage. This method cannot be done as a DIY project as it requires skill, care, and precision otherwise the cracks will keep on emerging again and again.
Routing & Sealing
- This method is recommended when only a remedial crack repair is required instead of a structural and foundation repair. This is advised when the foundation repair company notices that the foundation cracks won’t pose a lot of problems to your house. This method is used for inactive cracks or old cracks that have stopped increasing in size.
In this method, the crack is first enlarged in a ‘V’ shape up to a width of 6mm and a depth of up to 25mm. It is then filled with a joint sealant and left to dry. This method is also not suitable as a DIY project as care needs to be taken when enlarging the existing crack.
Stitching The Cracks
- This method is regarded as the easiest and the most durable method for foundation wall crack repair. A number of holes are drilled on both sides of the crack, lengthwise. The holes are filled with anchors, and the anchors on both sides of the cracks are tightened with a strong metallic wire.
In order to further strengthen the metallic wires, and the original crack an epoxy resin is applied. This epoxy resin acts as a sealant and prevents the crack from spreading further.
Drilling & Plugging
If you notice that there are vertical cracks in the foundation walls, then this method is preferred for its cost and time-saving factor. The holes are drilled lengthwise in the crack and grout is passed down forming a key. To prevent leakages, the grout key is drilled in the concrete.
For the next step, a variety of fillings can be used such as gravity filling, dry packing, and epoxy resins. The type of filling is usually selected on the basis of the nature of the cracks. This method is often referred to as the wall crack repair method.
Grouting Method
- If the foundation walls are of large sizes, such as basement walls and they have several cracks in them then this method is used. It has two variations. The first variation is by using portland cement grouting as it helps prevent water seepage and enables waterproofing your basement. This method helps to increase the strength of the wall that has suffered a crack.
The second variation is known as the dry packing method. In this method, mortar with low water concentration is used as a filling between the cracks. Due to less water content, the mortar experiences less shrinkage and has good durability, strength, and tightness.
If you are worried about foundation wall cracks in your home, then give us a call at 877-727-2259. We, at Crack-X are a reputable civil structures repair company operating in Maine and New Hampshire.