A1 Foundation Crack Repair Blog

Many towns in Massachusetts are built on old sandy river beds or rocky ledges. Despite the fact that we are in a drought, we have had quite a bit of recent rain. The large amount of rain is almost as bad for the soil as the drought. Soil expands when it freezes and gets wet and contracts when it defrosts and dries. This creates cracks in the soil that can create problems for the homes built on it.

When soil cracks and expands, it causes the home’s foundations to shift. But when the soil thaws and contracts, the foundation shifts again. Add water. Water pushes on your homes foundation and finds the path of least resistance.
 
Swelling and shrinking soil causes floors and walls in your basement to crack allowing in water from all the recent rain. The freeze/thaw cycle is the cause of many foundation problems throughout Massachusetts and the Northeast.

Homeowners need to understand that despite all the rain, the drought is not over. Despite the drought, your foundation issues will still continue to be a problem without the help of a water proofing specialist, contact A-1 Foundation Crack Repair.

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We are in a drought, and “they” keep saying we need the rain. Well, there was quite a bit of rain last night and if you awoke to a wet or damp basement, you have some problems. Even if you have never had water in your basement before, you will most likely get it again.

Water finds the path of least resistance, and when that much rain falls for so long, unfortunately in many cases it found its way into your home. Water finds its way through cracks in the foundation walls, cracks in the cement floor, and from leaking bulkheads.

Overtime, as your foundation settles and soil shifts through the seasons, you may now have basement water all of a sudden when you haven’t ever had it before. If you awoke to water in your basement, contact A1 Foundation Crack Repair.

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With air tight doors and windows, along with the construction of tighter homes sometimes there is not enough or proper airflow in a home creating condensation, mold, musty smells and moisture issues.

If your home has central AC, it is good practice to install additional vents that lead into your basement to help with minor moisture problems.

The air needs room to move, so if your basement is cluttered, an exhaust fan is good. However, you should also consider getting rid of some stuff. In addition to the moisture from a tight home, basements tend to be humid areas regardless. Because they are built below grade, the cool walls and the warm inside air create condensation as well.

Installing a dehumidifier can help with humidity in the basement. This is a very efficient  way to remove the moisture from the air.

If you have condensation, moisture, mold or musty smells in your basement, contact A-1 Foundation Crack Repair.

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If you are a have bought a new home, call A-1 Foundation Crack Repair for a foundation inspection.  You don’t want to find water in your basement and then realize that it could have been prevented.  If you see cracks in the basement floor or walls of a home you are buying or selling, call a crack repair specialist.

 IF there are cracks in your cement floor or foundation walls, we can determine the underlying and the related defects and fix them. Why have stress every time it rains?

Believe it or not, concrete cracks or cracks in masonry, brickwork,  or plaster are not uncommon and can be found in many homes. And most of the time, these repairs can be made without the need for expensive foundation repair work.

Because there are often cracks in foundations, only a specialist can tell you if your crack needs to be fixed before more structural and water damage develops. Contact A-1 Foundation Crack Repair for assistance and an inspection.

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With the onset of the warmer weather, basements can become damp and moist. Just the nature of the basement, being below grade, makes them inherent to water problems. The cool basement air mixes with the warmer outdoor air and warm basement foundation and creates humidity.

If your basement is damp or moist, mold can grow, causing severe health issues and making it more difficult for you to sell your home in the future. Mold thrives in basements were there can be wet drywall, wood or paint; all three being the favorite food for mold.

Often, cleaning mold with bleach does not help. While the surface mold may disappear temporarily, the underlying spores often remain allowing the mold to come back. Therefore, mold must be removed. Before mold starts, remove the water in the basement instead.

Controlling the humidity in the basement with a dehumidifier cuts down on the dampness in the air and stops mold growth. Repair any cracks in the concrete floor or foundation cracks that allow in water into your home. Continuous water damage or moisture in your home only makes the mold problem worse.
 
For information on basement dehumidifiers or concrete crack repair, contact A-1 Foundation.

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If you have just purchased a new home and you are thinking of finishing the basement, there are some things to be aware of. Are there or have there ever been any signs of moisture or water in the basement? If so, STOP, do not do anything.

Basement moisture or dampness issues need to be fixed before you do any finish work below grade. With new homes, it is a good idea to wait at least a year to see if you get any water, seepage or moisture  in the basement over the course of all four seasons. If there is any water at any time, or any signs of dampness, fix the water problem first. Call A-1 Foundation Crack Repair.

Also, since water can easily permeate concrete foundations, pressure treated lumber is recommended for the bottom of the walls. Also, since it is a basement, which is below grade, consider using greenboard rather than standard drywall because it is better suited for damp areas like bathrooms.

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Dehumidifiers come in handy this time of the year, when rainy weather leads to damp, moldy basements. For a large basement, Consumer Reports recommends a large-capacity dehumidifier.

Testers found that large-capacity dehumidifiers are generally more energy-efficient than medium-capacity dehumidifiers, and they will cost you less per pint of water removed. That’s important because dehumidifiers use a lot of energy.

Testers also check how accurately dehumidifiers control the humidity in the room. Comfortable settings are anywhere from 30 and 60 percent. If you suffer from allergies or asthma, it’s important to set the humidity levels on a dehumidifier between 40 and 50 percent.

There are only two possible ways to eliminate condensation: heat the air or pull the moisture out of it. Obviously heating your basement to match the outside temperature is counterproductive, so the only real option is to dehumidify. Contact A-1 Foundation Crack Repair for more information for basement and crawl space dehumidifiers.

News4Jax

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April showers bring May flowers. Unless that water is coming in your basement. Then all you get is a headache. Wet basements don’t only cause headaches; they cause mold, and an unhealthy living environment.

There are many ways that water can enter your basement, but one of those ways is a leaking bulkhead. Usually, bulkhead leaks are caused from movement between the bulkhead and the foundation. Bulkheads are separate from the foundation; they are just bolted to the foundation wall. When the bulkhead is bolted to the wall, a black rubber seal is put between the foundation wall and the bulkhead.  This is what stops the water. When there is movement between the bulkhead and the foundation, water can leak into the basement.
 
A-1 Foundation Crack Repair injects a closed cell polymer resin between the bulkhead and the foundation (cold joints).  Usually two visits are needed because bulkheads are susceptible to movement.  No matter what style bulkhead you have, A1 Foundation Crack Repair has the expertise to solve the problem, contact us.

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This is the time of year when the humidity starts to seep into your basements and all of a sudden takes you by surprise. Consistent basement dampness can cause musty smells and mold growth and stored items can be ruined. You may not see any water, but if you can smell it and feel it, you have a damp basement.

If you have moisture or water problems in your basement, it is time to get your basement sealed before bigger problems develop. As Humidity increases, the hot air outside causes condensation. Even without condensation basements have high humidity levels and mold can grow quickly and the musty smell starts.
 
To eliminate moisture problems in your basement, you need to identify the source of the water. You can eliminate water and dampness by sealing pipe penetration leaks, floor and foundation cracks or by installing a basement dehumidifier. Contact A1 Foundation Crack Repair.

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Although most builders use poured concrete for foundations, there is still a spot for concrete block foundations. Also, houses built between the late 1930’s to the 70’s were often built with concrete block foundations. For home additions, or crawl spaces concrete block foundations are common and economical. But concrete block foundations have problems and show them in many ways.

White dust showing on the insides of your concrete block foundation is the lime in the concrete coming through as a result of moisture. Horizontal foundation cracks in the mortar joints, horizontal shearing on the bottom of the walls, stair-step cracks, tipping and bulging are also problems you see with concrete block foundations.

You might be able to evaluate your foundation problems depending on the direction of the crack.

Horizontal Cracks
Horizontal cracks in concrete block, field stone or brick foundations mean that your foundation is subject to lateral pressure. The ground around your house expands when it’s wet, and then contract when it dries. This type of foundation damage is usually serious.

Vertical Crack
This often means there are "settling" problems with your foundation. Usually, this is a result of unstable soil which causes your foundation to rise and/or fall in certain areas.  Foundation cracks will almost always result in additional problems.

For Foundation crack repair, contact A-1 Foundation Crack Repair.

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