A1 Foundation Crack Repair Blog

There are plenty of homes out there with leaky basements. Many homeowners just assume their basement will be dark and damp. Maybe the concrete floor has a crack, or the foundation leaks a bit, or perhaps there is a leak where the pipes go through the basement walls. Through a towel on that, clean that right up and you’re all set right? Wrong.

Even if you don’t have a finished basement, even if the water doesn’t bother anything at all, you should take basement leaks seriously. Here's why:

Insects - There are many insects that seek out dark and damp areas including termites, cockroaches and spiders. We aren’t just talking about not liking bugs here. Termites and wood boring beetles, can damage your home. But insects can also cause health problems and they very challenging to get rid of without taking serious steps that involve harsh chemicals.

Health Problems - Mold and mildew dark and damp places, and damp basements are the perfect habitat. Mold can have serious effects on your family’s health, especially if there are asthma or allergies involved. Mold can increase the asthma attacks and itchy, watery eyes.

Integrity of your Foundation - A small wall or floor crack may seem harmless. But that crack may be hiding something bigger that you just can’t see.  If your doors aren’t shutting right floors are starting to warp this could be a result of the leak in your basement.

Resale value – Adding a basement to the list of amenities of your home when you  go to sell is a huge advantage. However, listing a home that has water damage in the basement is a big red flag. With all the homes on the market, and all the choices buyers have today, your home needs to be as enticing as ever to attract buyers.

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No one enjoys a flooded basement. It is one of the worst problems for homeowners to face. Regardless of if your house gets water regularly or if it happens once a year, there is never a good time for water in the basement. To prevent basement flooding you need to understand why it is happening in order to properly fix the problem and to prevent it from reoccurring.

Sometimes basement flooding is caused by a water main break or really severe, and uncommon weather. In these instances, maybe you will never again have water in your home. However, most of the time basement water is recurring and those who have it, have it often. There is a way to fix this.

If your home is located on a sloped piece of land then there is a very good chance that water on the property will drain towards you. Obviously this could result in water damage to your home.

Many times water damage will be a result of problems with your plumbing, or pipe penetration leaks in the foundation. Again, these are problems that can be avoided in the future. You should check the plumbing to ensure that there are no signs of leaks and be sure that the pipe fittings are tight.

Concrete floor cracks and foundation cracks result over time. It is very important to have these repaired correctly and quickly. Ignoring cracks could compromise the integrity of the structure.

Bulkhead leaks are another way that water enters the home. The seal between your home and your bulkhead moves during the winter and needs to be fixed.

Regardless of how the water enters your home, it can be avoided. It is important to have these issues taken care of professionally for the safety and security of your home as well as the ability to sell your home in the future.

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Leaky, wet and damp basements can cause many different types of problems, from merely annoying to structural and health related problems. Water intrusion through poured concrete foundations is typically the result of:

• foundation wall cracks
• cold joints (where new concrete meets existing concrete)
• improperly sealed snap ties (Metal snap ties or tie rods are used to hold the forms of a foundation in place while it is being poured, snap ties can leak over time if the prep work is not done properly)
• water, well, sewer and electrical conduit pipe penetrations.

We are going to talk about pipe penetration wall leaks. Many do-it-your-selfers have tried over the years to fix these leaks. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t.

During the construction of a home, holes in the foundations are cored to allow for water, well, sewer and electrical conduits to penetrate through the foundation. For example, a typical sewer line is 4 inches around. The hole cored may be 5 inches or more, leaving a space between the outside of the sewer pipe and the concrete. Prior to backfilling the foundation, these spaces are usually filled with hydraulic cement. Sometimes, they're not sealed at all. These penetrations are one of the weakest links in the foundation walls when it comes to holding back groundwater, and it's very common for them to leak water. Improper preparation around pipe penetration can cause water intrusion.

For the best and surest way to stop this type of water leakage, and its ensuing problems, call A1 Foundation Crack Repair.

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Slab leaks are known to arise as a result of leaking pipes positioned beneath concrete walls as well as the foundation of the home. Slab leaks take time before they cause any noticeable damage. However after sometime you will begin to notice wetness on your floors and carpets. At this point do not waste any time instead do what is necessary in order to correct the situation. Otherwise if you leave it unattended then you will end up spending more money to correct the damage to your home's foundation.

Fixing a slab leak is not as difficult as most people would think. The process begins with locating the area where the leak is coming from then mark it. Then take away the flooring within that area, this should be done with care to avoid causing unnecessary damage. Shut off the water from the main switch. Then its best to contact a home foundation specialist to fix this problem. As a home owner it is important for you to find ways through which you can detect slab leaks on time and prevent further damage to your foundation.

As earlier mentioned it is very important for a homeowner to quickly respond whenever they notice any part of the floor that is ever wet. Your promptness will help to prevent extensive damage to your home as well as your foundation. It will also mean reduced cost to salvage the situation. Remember as we always say a small leak can cause big problems later on, so its best to get the solution as soon as possible. Contact us today if you are experiencing any foundation or leak problems.

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There are typically some common causes of water heater leaks, ranging from loose valves to corroded water tanks. However, the sign of water around your heater may not indicate a leak. In many cases, it is just the result of condensation on the outside of the tank.

However, If condensation does not seem to be the issue, then check the following parts: temperature-pressure relief valve, Vent, drain valve, heating element gasket, and water pipes.

If you find the leak is coming from your pipes, discuss with your plumber. If the problem persists after checking these parts for issues then our professional A-1 method can be your solution.

If you are experiencing any of these issues or need a professional opinion and inspection, give us a call.

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