Foundation Crack Repair
Concrete cracks are a common problem that should not be ignored. Small cracks might not leak for 20 years, however the could also just as easily leak tomorrow!
Inspecting a foundation for cracks is not simple because the foundation walls are buried. Often times the inside of the basement is finished with drywall or wall paneling.
If your basement is unfinished and you can see the crack from the inside, then the repair can be completed in a straight forward manner. If your walls are covered, then the first step that I recommend is a foundation inspection. We use moisture meters and thermal imaging to help locate areas with increased moisture. This helps us target an area for invasive inspection where a section of the wall coverings is removed to inspect further. Some times we are able to use a small camera at first to inspect the area through a 1″ hole before removing a larger section. If you can see a crack on the outside of the foundation we can also use this information to help locate the crack on the inside of the home.
Fortunately once the crack has been located, there is a way to permanently repair such cracks without the need for costly and disruptive excavation. Poured foundation cracks may be repaired by an injection of an epoxy or polyurethane foam material. The type of injection will depend on the crack and environmental conditions.
It is always the safest course of action to repair cracks before they leak.
For more information please call or email today at 289-439-0483
Please see here for warranty information.
How do I find cracks that are hidden behind drywall or wall panelling? Check out this video
Efflorescence & Seepage Issues
Efflorescence (which means “to flower out”) is the dissolved salts deposited on the surface of a porous material such as concrete or brick that are visible after the evaporation of the water in which it was transported. The moisture that creates efflorescence often comes from groundwater, but rainwater can also be the source. Efflorescence can be an indication of moisture intrusion. Often time the moisture intrusion is so small that you might never see water on the floor because the moisture evaporates into the air causing increased humidity and the potential for mould growth. If you have the walls covered with insulation vapour barrier and drywall then this small amount of moisture migration will cause the humidity level in the wall cavity to become elevated providing a good environment for mould growth.
Whether you have a poured wall or block we can apply unique silicate concrete sealer used to permanently densify, strengthen and waterproof new and existing concrete from the inside of the home! Rather then sit on top of the surface like paint or other sealers our product penetrates the concrete surfaces and reacts with the free lime in concrete to chemically forms crystalline structures that micro seals pores, voids and cracks. It minimizes moisture and radon penetration through basement walls and slabs.
If you are in the greater Hamilton Niagara Regions give us a call to discus you situation.
