Wall Cracks
Foundation wall cracks are the most common source of seepage in poured concrete foundations. They are caused most frequently by stress, settling or shrinkage during the concrete’s curing process.
In general, most cracks are hairline (less than 1/8” wide) and run vertically or diagonally from the top of the foundation wall down to the bottom. They also go all the way through the wall which is why they leak. In the event your foundation walls are covered by paneling or drywall, our Estimator can usually locate the crack(s) on the exterior if the top of the foundation wall is exposed above the ground level.
We offer crack repair solutions from both the exterior and interior. Our Estimator will recommend the best method of repair based on site conditions.
Most cracks do not pose structural concerns. The ones that do tend to be wider than 1/8” run horizontally or stair step into the mortar of the above grade exterior brickwork. Other common signs include a buckled / bowed foundation wall, a sinking foundation, drywall cracks and upstairs doors and windows that tend to stick or not close easily.
Crack Repair
Step 1
Area and Surface Prep:
Plastic sheeting is placed on the floor in the work area to keep the space clean during the installation process. The surface area on the wall is then thoroughly cleaned and prepped.
Step 2
Install injection ports:
Small holes are drilled into the crack. Surface ports (short rigid-plastic tubes with a flat base) serve as handy entryways for getting the repair material into the crack. The base of the port is placed directly over the crack and bonded to the surface with an epoxy adhesive
Step 3
Seal the surface:
An epoxy paste is applied to seal over the entire exposed crack. The paste cures in about 20 minutes and provides an excellent surface seal.
Step 4
Inject the crack:
Urethane or epoxy is then injected, beginning at the lowest port on the wall and continuing until the material begins to ooze out of the port above it. That's the visual sign that the crack has been filled to that level. The first port is plugged and the procedure is repeated at the next port until the crack has been completely filled with material.
As part of our waterproofing service, we provide 3 convenient locations covering places like Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton at our Trexlertown location in the Lehigh Valley; or Scranton, Wilkes-Barre and Stroudsburg at our Tannersville office in the Poconos; and Hazleton, Reading, and Lancaster at our Tamaqua Headquarters in Eastern and Central PA. We also service parts of New Jersey and New York. Call today to schedule an appointment and see why you are calling the best waterproofing service in PA.
