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Basement Wall Cracks

Basement Wall Cracks

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Basement wall cracks come in many shapes and sizes, and are caused by many reasons. If you have a basement wall crack is always best to consult with a foundation repair specialist to find out the exact cause of the basement wall crack and the best solution to fix the basement wall crack. While some basement wall cracks appear to be small, it isn’t the crack that is the problem, it is the cause of the crack. While most foundation cracks are repairable, some are a sign that the foundation is in need of a structural repair and needs to be addressed for safety reasons. If you aren’t sure whether you have a minor problem or a major one, please contact a foundation repair specialist.

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Page 1: Basement Wall Cracks

Basement Wall Cracks

Page 2: Basement Wall Cracks

Basement wall cracks come in many shapes and sizes, and are caused by many reasons. If you have a basement wall crack is always best to consult with a foundation repair specialist to find out the exact cause of the basement wall crack and the best solution to fix the basement wall crack.While some basement wall cracks appear to be small, it isn’t the crack that is the problem, it is the cause of the crack. While most foundation cracks are repairable, some are a sign that the foundation is in need of a structural repair and needs to be addressed for safety reasons. If you aren’t sure whether you have a minor problem or a major one, please contact a foundation repair specialist.

Page 3: Basement Wall Cracks

Vertical Basement Wall CrackMost vertical basement wall cracks are caused by settlement. When concrete cures, it settles and can cause the concrete to crack. If the vertical crack is a hairline crack (1/16” or less) you should call a foundation repair specialist. If the hairline crack is not taken care of there is a significantly high chance that the crack will increase in size. How fast the hairline crack increases in size and if the crack increases in size, is dependent on multiple factors which is why it is best to have a foundation repair specialist diagnose the cause.

Vertical basement wall cracks most often come in pairs. Where there is one vertical foundation wall crack, there will be more. It is important to expect foundation walls very closely and repair all vertical foundation wall cracks before a small problem becomes a big one!

Page 4: Basement Wall Cracks

Diagonal Basement Wall Crack

Diagonal basement wall cracks, like vertical foundation wall cracks, can be caused by settlement. Diagonal basement wall cracks however can also be caused by frost damage, soil expansion and other outdoor factors such as tree or plant roots.Diagonal basement wall cracks, like vertical wall cracks, typically start as a hairline crack (1/16” or less) and expand over time if not taken care of. Diagonal basement cracks are most commonly found over a window or door, or on walls where there is a void in the concrete (such as a window, door, pipe penetration, etc.).

Page 5: Basement Wall Cracks

Horizontal Basement Wall Crack

Horizontal basement wall cracks are typically caused by outside factors. If the foundation wall is against a hillside, is surrounded by wet soil, is exposed to excessive areas of frost or water, is experiencing backfill damage, or other factors, it will cause a horizontal basement crack. Like all basement wall cracks, it is important to contact a foundation repair specialist to assess the cause and provide you with the best possible solution.

Page 6: Basement Wall Cracks

Causes Of Basement Wall Cracks:• Concrete Shrinkage

– Concrete shrinkage is defined as the volumetric change (shrinkage) of concrete due to the evaporation of water from the hardened concrete. This is most often caused when the concrete is initially poured.

• Concrete Settlement– If concrete is not strong enough to span the void caused by the drying

and shrinking of soil around the foundation, it will settle into the void causing the concrete to crack.

• Concrete Expansion– Typically concrete expansion only occurs with masonry blocks and will

happen most often during the curing process. If a concrete block is below grade it may expand however this is fairly rare.

Page 7: Basement Wall Cracks

Basement Wall Crack RepairThere are two primary types of repair methods for basement wall cracks:• Urethane injection : Urethane injection (polyurethane injection) is

more forgiving and reliable than epoxy, particularly for do-it-yourselfers, because it is suitable for wet cracks and expands inside the crack before it can run out from the back. Polyurethane foam remains flexible and allows for the natural movement of concrete.

• Epoxy Injection: Epoxy injection provides structural strength. Epoxy is less forgiving than urethane (polyurethane). It is not an the ideal solution for repairing hairline cracks in walls and floors. 98% of contractors use and recommend urethane over epoxy.

To prevent further cracks in your basement wall, it is a great preventative measure to seal your basement with a concrete sealer.

Page 8: Basement Wall Cracks

Armor Hydrophobic Repair Kit

The Foundation Armor 10FT concrete crack repair kit is a hydrophobic polyurethane based repair method for repairing moist, wet, or leaking cracks, and for repairing cracks on vertical or horizontal surfaces.Foundation Armors™ hydrophobic polyurethane repair kits are designed to stop water and permanently repair wet cracks in concrete walls, floors, and building structures. Using a 5,000 PSI injection gun, the polyurethane solution is injected into the crack through aluminum injection ports. When the solution comes into contact with water it transforms into a foam and expands 40X, repairing the crack from the back of the crack to the front of the crack

Page 9: Basement Wall Cracks

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Learn more about Foundation Armor’s professional grade line of concrete sealers, concrete coatings, concrete cleaners and

concrete repair products by visiting FoundationArmor.com or by calling

866-306-0246.