CONCRETE REPAIR
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Welcome to BasementDepot, where you will find everything related to concrete repair, basement finishing, waterproofing, remodeling, renovations and more. It is where to meet and find information about their basements!
Concrete Repair
Concrete repair is a very broad subject ranging from a cracked foundation to cleaning and revitalizing existing cement. Each year, about six billion tons of cement is made. That equates to about 1 ton for every person inhabiting the earth and represents 50-60% of the entire world's infrastructure. That is a lot of concrete to fix!
Understanding Concrete Repair
A common foundation type is known as Pier and Beam. These deep foundations are used in areas which are prone to snow and frost. Freezing and thawing soil tend to shift and may damage shallow foundations. The point of a pier and beam foundation is deep below the frost line. Unlike slab foundations, the Pier and Bean foundation often includes a basement. This type of foundation, however, is occasionally subject to lateral damage and the floor may shift with soil movement. Learn more about concrete repair in our knowledgebase.
Cracks in basement walls are a fact of life and minor cracks can grow larger and cause big headaches, such as loss of structural integrity or, more commonly, water leakage. Thus, even minor cracks should be repaired. Low-pressure injection works for fixing cracks in most poured-in-place residential basements. But in some cases you may need to pursue other remedial measures, along with crack sealing, to get a complete fix. If the foundation has settled due to compressible or improperly compacted soil, poor drainage, or uneven moisture conditions, the foundation may require lifting to prevent future settlement. Carbon-fiber reinforcement may also be necessary and used in conjunction with inhection. Crack injection, however, is not a solution for fixing cracks in masonry block foundation walls. It also can't be used if water is leaking from a crack between the seam of the wall and the slab, which indicates a water table problem.
Unless you are dealing with a minor crack that shows no sign of moisture or dampness, you should contact and have a cerified contractor take a look. Most BasementDepot contractors offer free inspections and estimates - take advantage of that.
Warning signs of Foundation Failure
Bulging floors, cracked walls, and doors that don't close are all signs of foundation distress. About 60% of all homes built on expansive soils suffer from some degree of foundation distress. The problem occurs when only part of the foundation heaves or settles, causing cracks and other damage. This differential movement of the soil is largely caused by differences in soil moisture. Loss or gain of soil moisture can cause serious shrinkage or swelling.
Settlement cracks are almost always vertical, and should not be confused with cracks that occur when a wall is subjected to lateral movement from soil pressure. Common indicators of foundation failure include:
- Wall Rotation
- Separation around garage door, windows and/or walls
- Cracked bricks
- Broken and/or cracked foundation
- Displaced Moldings
- Misaligned Doors and Windows
- Cracked sheetrock
- Cracks in Floor
- unlevel or bowing floors
Concrete repair and foundation problems are almost always associated with a wet or damp basement and this issue will need to be addressed to completelt solve your concrete and foundation issues. Learn more about concrete repair and the common signs of foundation failure.
Foundation Cracks
In most cases, concrete repair, including foundation and basement cracks can be repaired permanently using low-pressure injection of epoxy or polyurethane foam materials without the need of costly, disruptive excavation. With many of these concrete cracks you can mend them using kits available in the BasementDepot store.
The general approach is to to fill the crack, from front to back, with an epoxy or polyurethane. For basement walls, low-pressure injection can ensure that the crack is completely filled. This method can be effective for filling cracks that are 0.002 to 1 inch wide in walls that are up to 12 inches thick. Crack injection techniques can also be used to fill cracks in floors and ceilings.
More Information
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