Cracks can form in a house’s foundation regardless of the building material used. There are a wide variety of potential causes that can affect any home: ground movement, extreme temperatures, freezing, humidity and large quantities of water.
In this article, find out how to repair foundation cracks before they cause more serious problems in your home.
Why is it important to repair foundation cracks?
Foundation cracks can appear in both newer and older homes, forming in concrete foundations and those made of other materials. There are a variety of potential causes, which can be difficult or impossible to predict. It’s important to address foundation cracks promptly, because they can affect the durability and lifespan of the house.
Cracks in the wall are never harmless, so it’s important to fix them quickly. Fortunately, the procedure isn’t very complicated. Once you learn how to identify a crack and fix it, future repairs will seem like child’s play.
Three things to know before repairing a crack
How to assess a crack
Before starting repairs, it’s important to inspect the cracked foundation. That way, you can identify the cause and make the appropriate repairs.
Not all concrete cracks are created equal. Some threaten the integrity of the structure more than others:
- Active cracks are unstable and may grow over time.
- Dormant cracks are stable and will not move or grow.
A simple method for figuring out whether a crack is active or dormant is to make a mark along it and check back a few months later to see whether it has moved or grown. If it has, it’s active. Active cracks are unstable and can worsen over time, particularly during periods of extreme weather or ground movement.
Dormant cracks are often caused by concrete shrinkage during the construction process. Although this type of crack is less dangerous, it’s still a good idea to seal it permanently to avoid water infiltration.
Effective crack repair methods
There are two methods for repairing a foundation crack:
- Repair the crack from inside: used primarily for small dormant cracks
- Repair the crack from outside: main method for repairing active cracks
These are both good methods that should be selected based on the nature of the crack in question.
Ideally, you should get a professional to advise you on which method suits your needs best. That way, you’ll avoid wasting time and money on repair work that doesn’t live up to your expectations.
Crack repair products
The technique used to repair the foundation crack should be selected based on the type of crack in question and the material used to build the foundation. Our specialists use either a high-pressure or low-pressure injection.
The product injected can be either polyurethane or epoxy, and should also be selected based on the type of crack in question. These products react differently depending on the type of crack, the moisture in the wall and other factors.
Experts at your service for successful crack repairs
We hope you enjoyed our overview of how to repair foundation cracks. Since poor crack repair can do more harm than good, we recommend leaving this type of repair work to professionals. The Foundation Crack Expert Group Specialists will be happy to help. Contact us for a free quote!
