If you’re like most homeowners, you have probably tried some DIY repairs on the cracks in your foundation wall. We’ve seen homeowners try caulk tubes, DIY injection kits, hydraulic cement, and a slew of online DIY “tricks”. The issue with these approaches is that they only handle the surface of the crack, and within a couple of months, the problem is still there, if not now worse.
In this blog, we’ll look at the most common mistakes homeowners make when dealing with basement cracks and how professional techs like StayDry can fix them for good.
Many hardware-store products have tempting price tags and are more convenient, but most are not designed for active foundation leaks. They have you apply a surface sealant that will only stop water at the opening of the foundation crack, but doesn’t stop water/moisture from coming through the other side of the crack. Eventually, this surface seal will break or open as the foundation shifts.
The best method for most foundation cracks is polyurethane crack injection. Our technicians use high pressure to push the expanding resin through the entire depth of the crack, filling in even irregular shapes. The material fills every void and is flexible enough to move with the foundation, instead of breaking off. It makes all the difference and is a long-term solution.
This is the most common mistake that we see. Homeowners will clean the part of the foundation crack they can reach and pack it with hydraulic cement or another type of surface sealant. Hydraulic cement is poorly suited for foundation cracks because it’s too rigid and doesn’t form a true chemical bond with concrete walls.
Foundations, especially in Michigan, shift slightly due to freeze-thaw cycles and need a solution that is slightly flexible and will move with them, while maintaining a complete seal.
We match the materials to the conditions. Polyurethane is often the right choice, especially if the cracks are wet or actively leaking. It needs to make contact with water in order to expand.
Foundation cracks are just a symptom of a bigger problem. Living in Michigan means you could be dealing with a climate that (without proper waterproofing) could be working against you, including:
Sealing the crack is great, but understanding what caused it and addressing the root cause will stop other cracks from forming or existing ones from widening.
A proper inspection will look at the bigger picture: where is the water entering your home? Are the walls bowing or tilted? What is the condition of your downspout? Do you have interior and exterior drainage systems? What does your home’s grading look like? There are a lot of factors to consider, and a free, no-obligation inspection from our technicians can answer each one and offer effective solutions.
A lot of us grew up in homes with small foundation cracks or even a mildewy smell in the basement. It may not be obvious that these cracks need to be repaired, especially if it’s only leaking occasionally. Unfortunately, that’s just not the case, and knowing the signs to look for will help you protect your home from harmful water and mold damage or even radon exposure.
If you see any foundation cracks in your home, schedule a professional inspection to determine if they need to be sealed. Putting it off can be dangerous. In fact, if you have any cracks over ¼ inch wide, it could indicate poor structural integrity and will need more than sealing to fix. Early intervention is the best approach.
Not every crack qualifies for polyurethane injection. Some cracks, like horizontal or stair-step cracks, any over ¼ inch wide, or cracks accompanied by bowed or shifting basement walls, often require more invasive solutions to maintain structural integrity and load-bearing capacity.
Our StayDry® technicians will evaluate the number, type, location, width, and behavior of the crack(s) before making any recommendations. Injections are great for vertical, non-structural cracks, but other situations may call for carbon fiber, wall anchors, or additional stabilization.
Dealing with cracks and water in your basement can be daunting, so low quotes from contractors may sound really appealing. The issue is that, oftentimes, they’re using low-quality materials or low-pressure applications that won’t fully seal the cracks. Without a clear explanation or process, or a meaningful warranty, the repair is likely to be short-term.
At StayDry®, our crack foundation repair process is straightforward and clear. We use high-pressure polyurethane injection that’s specifically designed to seal irregular cracks through the full thickness of the foundation wall. And our work is backed by a lifetime, transferable warranty.
If you have concerns about the cost of professional foundation crack injections, we have 0% financing options available, and we match competitor quotes for many of our services.
Most DIY and surface repairs will fail because they don’t deal with the entire crack or use a material that moves with the foundation shifts. Some contractors also use lower-quality materials and might not address the source that caused the cracks in the first place.
If you’ve tried other methods, but nothing has been working, you’re not alone, but you’re also not stuck. At StayDry®, we’ve been helping homeowners since 2005 with foundation cracks and basement waterproofing. This doesn’t have to be a recurring problem. We can get it repaired for good.
The StayDry® team has 100+ years of combined experience with basement waterproofing, foundation repair, crawl space repair, wall repair, and mold control.
Give us a call or fill out the form here and we’ll get in touch to schedule your free inspection.
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