A1 Foundation Crack Repair Blog

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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Home maintenance chores are daunting for homeowners. Especially for new homeowners who are unfamiliar with the repair and upkeep requirements of older homes.

Maintenance involving water intrusion or structural integrity issues should take top priority when the list of home-repair chores gets so large you need to prioritize.

Drainage issues: The most important element is "anything having to do with drainage or water flow."

Leaves are falling and gutters need to be cleaned. Gutters or drainage problems contributing to foundation problems are issues you should not defer. Clean out rain gutters and downspouts, repair stucco cracks, and use good-quality exterior paints to keep wooden siding and roof trim safe from dry rot, mold and mildew.

Clogged gutters cause water to run down the face of the home and along the base of the foundation. This can cause water to enter your basement and can result in foundation issues.

For water intrusion problems in your home, contact A-1 Foundation Crack Repair.

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Massachusetts and Rhode Island have had quite a bit of rain. Unfortunately there are some more wet days ahead. We have met people who have water in the basement who never have before. Well, if your basement gets flooded once, it will get flooded again. Even well-made foundations can develop cracks and problems over time.

Between your foundation and your roof, it is hard to say which is more important to the structural integrity of your home, but surely, your foundation is the cornerstone of your home, the footing.

Foundation problems cause whole house problems. Settling soil, heavy rain, and other ground movement issues can cause water to enter a basement even if there has never been a water problem before. Serious problems can arise from cracking, crumbling, and settling in and around your foundation. When your basement gets flooded, those problems are compounded.

Click "flooded basement" if you are concerned about your foundation or have recently had water in your basement.

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Most basements, because they are built into the ground, present the possibility of invasive water, making what was once a dry basement into a wet basement. This is because water in the soil can put constant pressure on basement walls. Also, water follows the path of least resistance and over time can find its way into a basement.

With real estate transactions there are more problems with wet foundations and basements than any other physical problem in a house. Therefore, it's important when buying a house with a basement to check for signs of dampness in the basement. Also, if you want to sell a house, you need to get your basement water problems fixed the right way. As the buyer, the seller may be unaware of the water problems, or they may choose to not disclose the issue.

Signs of a Damp or Wet Basement

• Water stains along walls or floor. This could be caused by something simple such as an overflowing laundry tub or it could be a result of water seeping in through basement windows, the walls or the floor.
• Musty odor or damp smell. Excess moisture in a basement can cause an unmistakable smell.
• Mold. It could be colored black, brown, yellow or green, and you won't know for certain if it's mold without testing it. Often the northwest corner of a house is known as a "cold corner" and susceptible to developing mold.
• Efflorescence. This condition produces a white or sometimes grayish ash on the walls. Sometimes it sparkles. Efflorescence is caused by salt deposits left behind by evaporating water.
• Spalling. When water gets inside the surface of concrete, brick or stone, salt deposits from the water cause the surface to flake away, peel or pop off.

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A leaky basement can be a nightmare. Regular dampness can cause mold growth and musty smells, stored items can be ruined, and the foundation of your home can even be damaged by regular water.  If you have moisture, drips, seepage, or other water related issues in your basement, you need to get it sealed and dried out fast, before bigger problems develop.

The first step to eliminating the moisture problems in your basement is to identify the source of the water. Once you have located where the water is entering the building, you can resolve the problem.

Drainage Problems

Exterior drainage issues can be a major source of water in your basement; if water is brought away from your foundation, it can work its way inside. If you notice water flowing toward your house on rainy days, have blocked or malfunctioning gutters, or can see any signs of erosion, you likely have drainage problems. Some drainage problems are easy to fix: clean and repair your gutters if they aren't working. Pay special attention to downspouts, and be sure that they are directing water away from your house. Other drainage issues can be more difficult to fix. If it isn’t the gutters, you'll want to consult a professional basement waterproofing company. They will be able to identify problematic water patterns.
 
Basement Leaks

Water can also work its way into your basement through cracks or crevices in your foundation. This type of problem usually manifests itself as a visible break or fracture, a trickle of water, or a damp spot. Basement leaks can also be caused by porous foundations. There doesn't necessarily have to be a crack for water to be seeping in. You have a number of options for waterproofing your basement and A1 Foundation Crack Repair, waterproofing specialists, can provide professional basement sealing results.

Make sure you address water problems in your basement promptly; instead of assuming that they will go away on their own, foundation water problems frequently snowball into moisture and mold crises. Take the time to identify and resolve the source of the moisture-you won't regret it.

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Homes built in the late 1930’s to the 1970’s were often built with concrete block foundations. These days, builders mostly use poured concrete for foundations. However, concrete block still has a place as a viable material for foundations. When a foundation is small, such as a home addition or crawl space, builders can save money by using concrete blocks instead of subcontracting for poured concrete, this way foundations can be quickly and economically built.

Concrete block foundations can show their problems in a number of ways; horizontal cracks in the mortar joints, horizontal shearing on the bottom of the walls, stair-step cracks in outside corners, tipping at the top of the wall, or even bulging.

Depending on the direction of the crack, you may be able to discern the problem.

Horizontal Cracks in Block Foundations

Horizontal cracks in concrete block or brick foundations mean that your foundation is being subjected to lateral pressure. This means that the ground around your house expands when it’s wet, and then contract when it dries. This type of foundation damage is usually fairly serious.

Vertical Crack In Block Foundations

If your foundation has vertical cracks, this can mean that your foundation is having "settling" problems. This is usually caused by unstable soil conditions, which may cause your foundation to rise or fall in certain areas. In most cases, damage to a foundation caused by settlement can also be visible in other areas of your home, such as in door and window frames.

Vertical Cracks In Poured Foundation

If your foundation has recently been poured, it's possible that the type of damage will be visible as small, vertical cracks that run at a slight angle. This type of damage is caused by the shrinkage that occurs in drying concrete during the curing process. Most of the time, this type of damage is fairly inexpensive to fix.

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In older homes, we expect basements to leak and have cracks. In general, damp basements seem like standard issue; especially concrete block foundations which seep and weep over time as they settle. Wet basement are just annoying aren’t they, nothing else? It’s something you can take care of later.

Unfortunately, not. The issues that arise with damp basements aren't always easy to recognize, and can create serious problems. Cracks in a solid concrete wall or floor are almost never only on the surface, it is practically a guarantee that the crack goes all the way through. This is a definite problem. Cracks create structural integrity issues, a chance for water to seep through the walls, and introduce the possibility of mold, not to mention pests.

Moisture can build up extremely fast. When these cracks are first detected, you need to take action immediately. Have them inspected and possibly repaired. Understand that putting some concrete on the front and cosmetically sealing the crack is not going to do the trick. It could actually do more damage if water leaks are present because sealing it at the surface could cause pressure to build. Concrete is porous and pressure build up will only cause the water to find another way through.

Hire a professional to take care of all you basements cracks and leaks. Your home is most likely the biggest investment you will ever make. A1 Foundation Crack Repair is the best solution for cracks and leaks in your home’s walls and foundation. Call us as soon as you detect a problem.

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Repairing your home's foundation is one of the most important things to do. There are many reasons that you would want to repair the foundation quickly and ways to get the repairs done. When it comes to your home, you should want it to be it's best at all times. If you are looking for some tips on how to repair the foundation of your home, keep reading. It may surprise you.

The number one tip for repairing the foundation of your home, is make sure that you fix all the cracks, holes or other things that are allowing water to get in. Water can ruin a home in the flash of your eyes. Water can lead to mold and mildew growing on the walls and so much more that can cause health problems. It can also cause major damage to the flooring such as carpet and hardwood.

Another tip and reason for fixing your home is, the foundations condition can affect the status of your home when it comes to getting a home loan and selling the house. If you have cracks and other kinds of problems, they can be seen as a defect and most homeowners will make a purchase until the problems have been fixed.

The longer you wait to fix the foundation, the more of future repair costs. Tip number three. Make sure that you fix the foundation as soon as possible. Not fixing the foundation can cause your home to shift and cause even bigger cracks and messes to fix.

In order to repair the foundation of your home, you are going to need to do things that can include, but are not limited to foundation waterproofing, concrete foundation repair, waterproof the basement walls, crawl space ventilation, replace carpet due to carpet water damage, and insulate the basement. Hiring the professionals at A-1 will be a smart solution to getting your home's foundation in tip top shape. Contact us today to learn more about your home's foundation and how we can put our A-1 method to work for you.

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Determining if you have a foundation problem with your home or other building is determined mostly by using your eyes and just good common sense. If you are starting to see cracks in interior drywall, windows that won't close or open, doors that suddenly seem out of kilter or other abnormal things around the home your foundation may be the culprit.

If you do a little investigative looking, finding problems can be quite easy if they are actually present. Finding a sticky window or door does not mean your foundation is bad. It may be nothing more than humidity, loose hinges or a window that needs a spring adjustment. If you find all of sudden there are a great many items with a problem then it is time to look around. Starting on the buildings exterior, slowly walk the perimeter and take a real good look at the exposed portion of the foundation walls. If you see cracks in the wall, inward or outward bowing, sunken soils against the wall, cracks in the brick face or bowed siding for example, these are all causes for concern. Make a note of the locations and proceed to the inside of the basement.

Using a pencil, draw a line horizontally across the crack and large enough to see easily later on. Keep checking the crack from time to time to see if the pencil mark as moved and the two sides of crack line no longer match up. If the lines are now separated vertically, it indicates that the foundation is moving. If you see a larger crack, bigger than an eighth of an inch wide, this may mean severe movement has occurred. If this is the case then allow us to do a thorough inspection of your home's foundation and use our A-1 method to repair any damage. Contact us today should you have any questions or concerns about your home or commercial building's foundation.

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Whether you're selling or buying a house, a foundation problem can easily be a "deal-breaker." Symptoms of foundation problems are impossible to ignore: cracks in bricks, concrete blocks or poured concrete, bowed walls, concrete slabs that have cracked and settled, floors that tilt or sag, and windows or doors that can't operate properly because a settled foundation has skewed their framing.

Even if a prospective home buyer accepts the risk of buying a house with foundation problems, it's unlikely that a bank or mortgage lender will allow a mortgage to be granted for such a problem property. Foundation problems are certain to be identified when the bank's appraiser inspects the house or goes over the standard disclosure documents provided by the real estate agent. In today's market, banks and mortgage lenders are on the alert for flaws and liabilities that might make a house difficult to sell.

The good news about foundation problems is that most of these problems can be effectively solved especially with our A-1 Method. Home buyers and banks often assume the worst when they encounter bowed foundation walls, wide cracks, settled slabs and similar problems. They're likely to believe that the entire foundation must be replaced, or that a settled slab must be demolished and then re-poured. But such extensive and expensive work is rarely required. The technology available to our full-service staff is truly amazing. Settled footings, foundation walls and slabs can be stabilized and even jacked back into their original positions with different pier-and-bracket systems.

Instead of demolishing and reconstructing a bowed foundation wall, anchors can often be installed to make the wall flat again, or close to it. A sagging, springy floor can be jacked back to level again and stiffened by installing precast footings and heavy-duty steel columns. Many of these repairs can be completed in 1-3 days, with minimal disruption to the house and its inhabitants.

If your house has a foundation problem, don't put off the repair. Once the symptoms of a foundation problem show up, it's a sure bet they will only get worse. Cracks will widen, settling and shifting will become more pronounced, and windows and door openings will become even more out of square. Resist the temptation to make cosmetic repairs when a serious structural problem exists. Unless the structural problem is corrected, a patched crack will continue to open up and widen. Our experienced team will be able to give you an accurate assessment of what's causing your foundation to fail, and what repair strategies can be used to save it. Contact us today to learn more about foundation problems and how we can repair your home's integrity with the A-1 method.

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