FOUNDATION CRACK REPAIR
While concrete cracks appear to be typical, it is not recommended that they remain ignored. Most homeowners best identify concrete cracks in their basement, either on the foundation wall or on the floor.
FOUNDATION CRACK REPAIR
NOT ALL CRACKS ARE CREATED EQUAL…
A crack in your foundation wall is a sign of movement. Concrete foundations whether poured concrete or concrete block walls, do not flex. Any movement of your foundation is easily evident by the appearance of cracks in the wall. This does not necessarily mean that your home has a structural issue, settlement cracks are expected and may not mean anything more that being unsightly or allowing moisture to penetrate into your basement or crawlspace.
These settlement cracks can be easily addressed with different filling techniques, such as epoxy injections or hydraulic cement. In some cases, the crack may need to addressed from the inside AND the outside. This may mean disruption to your exterior landscaping in order to excavate down to the footer outside your home. Basement Panther prides itself on our “you never even knew we were here” approach. We will carefully remove any exterior elements in the work area and replace them after we are complete, leaving your landscaping exactly as we found it.
Other cracks, especially horizontal cracks located at the frost line, can be signs of impending failure and need to be addressed with a supporting element. Different solutions for these cracks can be carbon fiber reinforcement strips (if caught quickly enough), wall pins inserted and cemented into the hollow block cores or in extreme cases, metal “I” beams may need to be installed and securely attached to the footer below the floor and the joists above to provide the support required. Carbon fiber strips are by far the least invasive and most easily hidden but require early intervention to be successful.
After a thorough inspection, Basement Panther Waterproofing will explain the cause behind the cracks in your foundation wall, and will leave you with a good understanding of which solution works best in each unique situation.
WHY WATERPROOF YOUR BASEMENT?
PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT
Water intrusion is not only inconvenient, it is erosive. Water penetrating your foundation is creating more damage each time it occurs, and will eventually lead to the failure of your home’s foundation. A subfloor pressure relief system will manage the ground water, and remove it from your home’s foundation before it can cause any further damage, protecting your investment for many years to come.
REMOVE UNHEALTHY CONDITIONS
Wet or damp conditions in your home’s basement or crawlspace leads to a whole host of potential health issues. From infestations of bugs and small animals or snakes, to even more harmful mold colonization. A damp or musty smell in a basement or crawlspace is evidence of mold growth.
INCREASE HOME VALUE
Nobody wants to buy a home with a water problem. A damp musty smell is red flag for potential purchasers. Removing this issue will increase interest in your home, when you add in the transferable warranty that we offer, this will increase the re-sale value of your home up to 25%. A comfortable and inviting finished basement will increase the value even more.
