A1 Foundation Crack Repair Blog

There is no question that homes with basements provide us with much more space than those with only crawl spaces. Often, homeowners will put recreational rooms in the basement, or perhaps an office. Other times, the basement will be storage, a tool shed and a laundry room combined, but this still provides us with extra space upstairs. So, there is no point in going into why a wet basement is a bother.

Water in the basement is a problem, even if it is empty, (and they never are). There are really two different ways in which water can enter our basement, and both will entail some form of waterproofing. Water can either come in slowly, almost undetected or it can quickly invade our basement causing a flood.

Moisture is often a problem since basements are below ground level, even if it is not visible. It may show up as mold or mildew. Even if you can’t see the moisture, there are definite signs that it is there.

Doing a little bit of basement waterproofing for this usually means installing a basement dehumidifier which will run on a regular basis, at least through the summer, fall and spring.

Of course, the other way you can get water in the basement is all at once, a flood. This can be destructive, especially if you use the basement for living space or storage. If the water is coming in at one specific location, sealing that location is necessary.

However, if your basement floods on a regular basis, measures that can be taken to fix this.

Having a problem with water in your basement is simply keeping you from enjoying part of your house. Although waterproofing your basement is going to take a little bit of work, it will all be well worth the effort whenever you can take this part of your home back again.

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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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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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There are a number of contributing factors that lead to a foundation problem. They include poor and inadequate drainage, plumbing leaks, extremely dry soil and poor soil conditions. A home owner's ultimate nightmare is a basement full of unwanted water due to cracked foundations or other leakage. A-1 Foundation will promptly come to your home and provide you with unparalleled foundation crack repair and guarantee that all of your basement water leaks are repaired to your full satisfaction.

Structural repair issues are often very complicated and require specialized knowledge to both analyze and develop repair plans. If left unattended, structural problems will continue to get worse, leading to more costly corrective repairs and diminished resale value of your home. Your home is likely your largest and most valuable investment. Don’t let the problem linger another day.

We also offer commercial assistance as well. If you own/manage residential, office, industrial, or retail buildings, foundation cracks and foundation leaks can result in health hazards and loss of income if not promptly and correctly repaired. Which is why we at A-1 are proud to offer an array of commercial services as well as residential.

We utilize a unique, high technology approach to repairing cracks and leaks of all kinds using the A-1 Method for structural and nonstructural repairs.We have trained and certified specialists to advise our customers of their options. Our highly skilled team ensures the highest quality workmanship. Contact us today and let us put our method to work for you.

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When do most homeowners find out that their sump pump has failed? When it is too late! It is raining cats and dogs, rain water is contributing to the ground water and the water table is rising quickly. As the ground water level reaches the float activation set point. Regularly the sump pump will kick on and keep the water level below the basement slab, thereby alleviating the hydrostatic pressure below the basement floor.

Sadly, many homeowners find out the hard way that their sump pump is not working properly. The water table rises beyond a controllable level and hydrostatic pressure begins forcing water through floor cracks and floor/wall joints. The outcome is increased moisture levels inside the basement, which can lead to poor indoor air quality conditions, and in severe cases can lead to standing water filling up inside the basement causing havoc and misery.

The most important thing homeowners with basement waterproofing systems (sump pumps, basement drainage, etc.) can do is complete regular factory recommended maintenance. Regular maintenance should include removal of debris and obstructions from the sump liner and any cleaning of filters or screens that are attached to the sump pump. It is recommended that drains and sump pump systems are flushed with hot water regularly. This ensures that any debris or iron bacteria colonies do not build up and become obstructions to the flow of water. Do not run any type of hazardous cleaning chemicals (bleach, ammonia, detergents, etc.) through any drain or sump pump systems.

A-1 is a fully registered home improvement contractor. Contact us today to talk to a knowledgeable, master waterproofing professional should you have any leaking problems and we'll be happy to help.

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Sometimes its hard to know when you need to waterproof your basement. Yes its true, some people go down into their basement, see that it is fine and go about their merry business but what they don’t realize is that basement mold and water damage accumulates silently and then spreads like wildfire and it becomes a hassle to get rid of. So when you first move into your new home make sure you check the waterproofing of your basement. Then below are two popular times to waterproof your basement once again.

Before the rainy season

A wet basement is easy to ignore during dry weather. But when a major storm hits, the amount of water that comes in can be hard to predict. Homeowners that previously only had a small leak once or twice a year can be shocked and disappointed to find that their basement has several inches-even feet- of water seemingly out of the blue. How serious a basement flood can be is sometimes hard to tell, and unless the investment is made in a basement waterproofing system, the risk of such a flood is always present. If you know stormy weather is ahead, then it's a great idea to deal with the problem before it gets out of hand.

Before selling the home

If you're looking to sell your home, a wet basement can be a deal breaker. Home buyers are not looking to purchase someone else's problem, and if they find out that the basement floods, they will often back out of the deal. Home inspectors are trained to find the signs of wet basements, and they will make finding these signs a top priority.

In fact, 10% of the home's market value is lost with a wet basement. And because buyers will be reluctant to buy the home even at a discount, it will take much longer to sell it. In the end, fixing the basement properly with a sump pump and perimeter waterproofing system is a fast process and it restores a great deal of value to your home.

Even if you are not planning on selling your home or it hasn’t rained in a while, it might be a good idea to check out your basement anyway and if you see any signs of leaks or water damage contact the professionals and let us apply our A-1 method to your home for a clean and quality look.

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If you own your a home, or have rental properties, mold removal should be on the top of your list of concerns. Few things are less inviting than a house with a musty basement smell. Not only is it uninviting, but it is also unhealthy. If a house has a basement leak and needs repairs, you can be sure that the water damage will be pervasive and affect the entire house. There is a high likelihood that you will have to get rid of any mold and mildew as a result of the leak.

The mold spores are very tiny and able to survive in very minimal conditions. The warm moist atmosphere that follows water damage is an ideal place for the fungi to grow and prosper. In order to eliminate this nasty problem, several things must be done.

First, any contaminated items, such as water damaged wood, carpet, or ceiling tiles must be removed and buried or burned. It is nearly impossible to repair infected property once the mold has begun growing. It can be done with chlorine bleach and other cleaners, but often it is just beyond hope.

Any black mold spots must be cleaned up as well. This is a time consuming, but uncomplicated task. It can be easily accomplished with vinegar and baking soda, or any number of environmentally safe cleaners. Not only will this improve the appearance of the room, but it will help prevent the spread of mold spores.

Next, the leak needs to be repaired. This can be a simple project, or it can become extremely complicated, depending on the extent of the problem. Some leaks can be fixed by waterproofing the walls and floor. But most of the time if there is a mold issue do-it-yourself leak repair is a daunting task. It would be in your homes best interest if you hired the professionals to take care of the leak. Not only can we fix the leak but we can eliminate the mold as well using our proven A-1 Method

The final requirement to get rid of mold and mildew caused by water damage to the basement is to lower the temperature. Once the temperature is lowered, the mold will be much less inclined to grow. When the moisture is under control, the black mold is cleaned up, and the temperature lowered you will notice the atmosphere in the house will be dramatically improved. The air will be fresh and clean, plus the health of your family will likely improve as a result.

If you are experiencing mold problems or have a leaky basement that is causing water damage, contact us today. Don't let even the smallest of leaks go unattended, that is all it takes for big water damage and mold to ensue.

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So what is waterproofing? Waterproofing is a process which is designed to prevent water from penetrating a building. Usually extensive waterproofing measures are added to a building at the time of construction, to provide moisture control from the start, and waterproofing may also be done after a building is built, to address problems as they emerge or as part of a building retrofit. Waterproofing is critical, for a number of reasons. Not only do we specialize in foundation cracks but waterproofing as well.

From the point of view of its occupants, building waterproofing is important because it keeps a building dry. It also reduces internal humidity, making a building more comfortable to work in and protecting objects inside the building from damage as a result of humidity or water exposure. However, building waterproofing is also important to the integrity of the building itself.

Water damage can be a serious issue in a structure. With water comes mold and a host of other problems which can undermine foundations, make conditions in the building unsafe, and damage property inside the building. Wooden buildings can suffer rapid decay from water exposure, but water penetration can also damage concrete and other building materials, especially in cold climates where water may freeze and cause cracks. Insufficient waterproofing can be a problem year round, not just during the rainy season.

Some permeability in a building is desired, not least because building occupants generate humidity which must be safely vented. The goal of building waterproofing is to prevent as much water as possible from entering the building, and to provide outlets and drainage so that if water does get inside, it is not allowed to sit. Surface systems include things like clapboards to protect the walls of a house, or shingles on the roof of a building. Internal measures can include membranes inside the walls, such as barrier insulation which keeps water out. Typically, building waterproofing is done in several different ways to create multiple barriers for water so that it cannot enter a structure. Together, waterproofing measures are known as "the envelope."

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