What could cause damage to this block foundation in Bellingham Massachusetts

- Tuesday, September 22, 2020
A1 Foundation Crack Repair

The Crackman's expertise was called in recently when a customer shared his concerns about a crumbling block foundation. Those blocks are pretty strong, so what could cause them to crumble?

Narrator: It’s time once again for the “Crack Man Podcast” hosted by A1 Foundation Crack Repair. I’m Darren Kincaid here with the Crack Man himself, Rich Comeras. Rich has 30 years’ experience in the construction industry and over 25 years as the president and founder of A1 Foundation Crack Repair. This podcasts provides expert basement waterproofing, concrete repair, and preventative maintenance tips for homeowners and businesses. A1 Foundation’s valuable insight will help avert a disastrous flood within the basement, health problems associated with water infiltration, and protect your biggest investment….your home. The topic of today’s podcast: What could cause damage to this block foundation in Bellingham, MA?

Narrator: So Rich, your expertise was called in recently when a customer shared his concerns about a crumbling block foundation. Built blocks are pretty strong, right? What could cause that?

Rich: Well there’s actually two different kinds of blocks. Concrete blocks made out of a concrete base material, and then there’s ones that are made with an ash, actually coal ash or cinder they call it. That’s where you get the word cinder block. And what we’re seeing in Bellingham, I got a call, I got a call from Fitchburg about the blocks above the soil that are actually found to be disintegrating. They are the old decorative blocks it seems in most cases, which are usually near a downspout, and over the years downspouts getting locked down, water keeps getting pushed against the cinder blocks or concrete blocks, and that water just keeps decaying it. This is because of the pressure going against it from the water hitting it again and again. Also when water hits masonry, the masonry takes the water on like a sponge does, and then in the winter it freezes, so when it freezes that’s what starts the delamination process. I mean you could see, we’re going to put a picture above this so you can see of it actually eating away the block. So we then replace the block, well we actually fill that in with a concrete material and then we’d put a crystallized quartz based material on it because that will help stop any water from penetrating it and causing additional damage. Now that is the story with cement block or cinder block foundations, when you have a problem, we know how to fix it.

Narrator: Well excellent, Rich. Thanks for sharing how a block foundation can start to crumble, and it’s great to know there’s guys like you around that can figure out how to fix it.

Narrator: If you have a basement water problem and think you need a professional, or, if you’d like more information on foundation crack repair and basement waterproofing topics, please visit A1FoundationCrackRepair.com or call Rich at (866) 929-3171. Or you can email Rich at info@a1foundationcrackrepair.com. Thanks for listening and keep that basement dry.

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E-mail: info@a1foundationcrackrepair.com
Toll Free: 866-929-3171

Call Us Today at 866-929-3171

A-1 Foundation Crack Repair, Inc. is a fully registered home improvement contractor. Contact us today to talk to a knowledgeable, master waterproofing professional.