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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In order to know how to waterproof a basement, you need to know how water enters the basement. There are many different ways water can enter the basement:  floor / wall joint, floor or wall crack, or through the bulkhead, to name a few.

Here we are going to talk about how water enters through the floor/wall joint.

The floor/wall joint is the most common entry source of water entering the basement. This is where the foundation wall meets the floor. The water comes in from the outside over the footing under the foundation wall and through where the foundation wall and floor converge. This is seen mostly when it rains. Water may seep in from other locations, but the most heavy water intrusion will be from the floor/wall joint.

When one concrete structure is poured (the floor) and another concrete structure is poured on it or next to it (the wall), a seam is created between the two concrete structures. Each concrete structure (the footing, the wall and the floor) is poured separately. There is a seam between each of these three structures. This allows the potential for water to come into the basement. There are four potential points of entry now: over the foundation footing, between the foundation walls, underneath the foundation and up through the seams between the foundation footing and the floor. This floor/wall joint seepage is very common and is a predominant reason for basement flooding.

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If basement water problems can be solved, you can gain some valuable storage or living space.  There are two ways to go about approaching water issues. The first is to address the leak from the outside of the foundation and the second is to deal with the problem from the inside. From both directions, there are waterproofing techniques designed to seal water out, and others that are designed to divert water from the foundation.

Waterproofing techniques and supplies that are generally used by do-it-yourselfers to seal water out of the basement include spray on sealants, membranes, and injection expanding epoxy waterproofing supplies designed to fill and seal cracks in solid concrete foundation walls. These are some of the least reliable methods of keeping water out because over time, they all succumb deteriorate.

There are also waterproofing supplies and techniques for diverting water on the exterior of the home. Dirt fill can be used along foundation to make the ground slope away from the house. This allows for water to runoff away from the home.

Regardless of the method you choose, exterior repair work is messy and expensive. The installation of anything on the exterior of the foundation will require excavation to expose the wall.

On the interior, the A-1 method of sealing out water from concrete floor cracks is with the gravity fed system. A polymer is used to create a bond between the concrete cracks and fills the entire void through to the bottom. The A-1 preferred method for foundation wall pipe penetration leaks is to inject the gap around the pipe with high-viscosity polyurethane. This polymer can be used on both wet and dry materials, and it can work its way into small hairline cracks to make a more powerful bond.

A-1 Foundation Crack Repair, Inc. was founded after more and more house builders requested the A-1 Method to solve problems that otherwise would have been cost prohibitive or simply too invasive. In fact, the A-1 Method not only repairs your existing cracks, but also helps prevent future ones!

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Mold problems might occur with home basement dampness or flooding. Mold is a living organism that thrives in wet or damp environments. Usually, the food source for mold is cellulose such as the paper on drywall, wood products or paint on concrete. It can even appear on the surface of metal in the right conditions.
 
Therefore a home and its contents are a food source for mold. Many people believe that molds can be cleaned with household bleach. When you clean mold with bleach you will see the mold disappear. But the underlying root system of them mold is unaffected by the bleach, and the molds will reappear within a few days.

You can't clean mold; it must be removed from your home. In the case of mold-infested drywall, paneling and acoustical ceiling tiles, the damaged areas should be cut out and discarded. You do not often see mold on older homes with plastered walls, but it will appear on the paint on the plaster. When this happens, the paint should be scraped off to remove the root system before repainting.

Mold usually does not appear on fabrics, but they can carry mold that can be transferred to cellulose and wood products in your house. So, wet or damp carpeting should be removed to allow the wood-floor surface to dry. Vinyl floor coverings also must be removed if you notice dark spots forming under the finished surface of the vinyl.

If you have a large mold problem in your home, it should be professionally mitigated and the humidity in your home should be controlled with a dehumidifier. Cracks in the basement concrete floor and/or foundation that allow in water need to be repaired. Continuous water damage or moisture in your home exacerbates the mold problem and may lead to issues with the structural integrity of your home or foundation.  The most important control for mold in any home is humidity control. Keep the area dry, because without moisture, though molds may be present, it cannot thrive.

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You need a dry basement for a healthy living environment. There are many ways that water can enter your basement. One of the most frustrating is a bulkhead leak. Most bulkhead leaks are a result of movement between the bulkhead and the foundation. Usually, bulkheads are separate units which are bolted to the foundation wall. During installation a black rubber seal is put between the foundation wall and the bulkhead unit.  This rubber seal is designed to stop water. This seal can fail when there is movement of the bulkhead, the foundation or both.
 
Due to the design of bulkheads, movement occurs during the winter months as the ground freezes and expands, and then in the spring as the ground thaws. This compromises the seal. In order for A-1 Foundation Crack Repair to inject between the bulkhead and foundation the closed cell polymer resin that has elasticity needs to adhere to the concrete in order to be most effective. Because bulkheads are susceptible to movement we do a return visit to perform another injection at no charge. No matter what style bulkhead you have; precast concrete unit, cinderblock bulkhead, fieldstone bulkhead or poured concrete walls with wooden stairs we have the expertise to solve your problem with water leakage.

A-1 Foundation Crack Repair has effective and long lasting solutions for basement waterproofing problems. Contact us for a free estimate.

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Sometimes, no matter what, when you live in a flood zone,  your house will flood in heavy rain. I have a friend who lives on a street called Water Row Lane, and last year their neighborhood had to collectively rent the Boston Duck Boats for 2 weeks to transport them from their homes to their cars in a nearby parking lot.

Water, might be good for flowers, plants, and trees, but it’s not so good for houses.

Live in a flood zone?

If you live in an area that has a high flood risk, elevate the furnace, water heater, electric panel, washer and dryer in your home at least 12 inches above the projected flood elevation.

You should have check valves installed in your home to prevent flood water from backing up your drains.

Have a sump pump installed,  and if you have a sump pump, make sure it’s working and install a battery-operated backup, in case the power goes out.

Clean debris from your gutters and downspouts.

After a flood

Check outside for loose power lines, gas leaks, foundation cracks or other damage. Make sure your porch roofs and overhangs still have their supports. Check your home’s and your out building’s foundations for settling, cracking or undermining. If you see damage, get a building inspector or contractor to check the home before you go inside.

Turn off all electrical switches, even if the power is out.

While the electricity is off, hose down the house to remove any health hazards left by floodwater and mud.

If your furnace or water heater floods, have a technician check them before turning them on.

If your basement is flooded, pump the water out in stages.

Dry out appliances such as washers and dryers before using them. They might need several days to dry.
 
Mold

Mold can produce allergens, and, in some cases, potentially toxic substances that can make you sick, so you need to ensure your home is as mold-free as possible.

Water damage should be taken care of within 48 hours after the incident or mold growth (or worse, bacteria and viruses) will occur.

The best way to prevent mold is to remove wet contents from your home immediately.

Wet items should be cleaned with a pine-oil cleanser and bleach, completely dried, and monitored for several days for any fungal growth and odors.

Dry out damaged rooms by opening windows and using high-pressure fans. If your carpets are damaged, you should strongly consider installing new ones.

Keep the indoor humidity low, ideally from 30 percent to 50 percent. Make sure places of high humidity, such as bathrooms, are well-ventilated. Use a dehumidifier whenever necessary.

Even if you remove the mold, if the water problem (i.e. a leaky pipe or cracked foundation) is not fixed, the mold will come back.
 
Hiring a Contractor

Do the research. Ask friends and neighbors and read reviews. Make sure the contractor can do the type of work needed, foundation and basement crack repair . And check the contractor’s current references.

Check withe the Better Business Bureau, A1 Foundation Crack Repair has an A+ Rating.

Contractors can’t collect more than one-third of payment up-front unless the job requires materials that must be specially ordered. They also cannot demand any payment before the contract is signed.

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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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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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Concrete is one of the most common materials used in construction because, simply put, no other material can produce the same results. Concrete is used for everything from concrete floors to building foundations. Despite this, problems can results with concrete over time. Problems arise for many reasons, not the least of which can be its exposer to excessive moisture. To avoid problems always be sure that high quality concrete is used and to stay vigilant for possible problems.
 
Concrete cracks often form in the basement walls. However, builders plan for cracking by putting steel reinforcements inside the concrete walls to maintain the wall’s strength. But don’t let this give you false hope that the cracks are insignificant.  Concrete cracks allow water into the basement, especially in older homes which do not have a waterproofing membrane installed like many newer homes do. However, even the waterproofing in newer homes can fail; the water proofing may not stretch over the crack and the membrane then tears or, if the grading is incorrect and slopes toward the house rainwater can pool next to the home above the waterproofing, enter the concrete crack and flow to the interior.

It is very important to get these cracks, even if they are small, fixed. It is these cracks that cause the problems in the foundation of your basement. They pose health risks, structural issues, and can damage your belongings. We have all heard of the hazards of mold, and moisture in your basement can lead to mold. Take a good look at the corners of your basement and check for mold growth.  Get foundation and wall concrete cracks repaired as soon as you can to maintain the safety and well being of you and your home.

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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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