Basement Wall Repair can be expensive and take a long time to complete. Small cracks in the basement wall usually aren’t anything to worry about, however they should be patched up all the same. Cracks are usually caused by the home settling over time. If the cracks seem to reappear, or if any of them are growing larger, contact a pro to help find the root cause and make the necessary changes.
Basement Wall Repair can also include basement waterproofing which is another necessary step that can be costly. Waterproofing isn’t something you can perform yourself without proper training. If you have a crack or a large hole in the wall you need to call in a professional waterproofing company to perform the repairs for you. The type of work they will do will depend on what kind of crack it is, how big it is, and where it is located.
Root cause basement wall repair often involves drainage work that must be performed. This means digging around the house to gain access to the areas that have been affected by water seepage. Sometimes it also means removing the existing foundation to get at the areas under the floorboards.
A good contractor will have some type of inspection tool to check for the foundation. One example is a French examination tool. These can be used to check for any cracks in concrete walls. This can be done with a simple handheld device. Horizontal crack line cameras are another tool that can be used for this type of basement wall repair. You can also purchase detectors that will check for foundation damage.
Bowing basement walls can be caused by moisture moving up into the house from outside. One way to check for evidence of excess moisture is with a water gauge. Another tool to use is a fiber optic camera. Fiber optic cameras can be very expensive but will give you good evidence of moisture buildup. One other method of checking for basement wall repair is with a small rotating cylinder which looks like a bowling ball and can be rolled across basement walls.
One of the most common basement wall repair methods is to try to straighten them out. The simplest technique for trying to straighten out a bent wall is to apply an inward-outwards force. This forces the wall to bend inward and when this occurs the interior of the wall comes together and forms a better seal. Applying outward pressure creates a pressure point which helps straighten out bent areas.
Exercises like this can be performed with tools similar to those used to drill. The main difference is that you are applying more inward pressure than with the drill so you can apply much more force. Drilling straight through the cement board may cause cracks, which means you’ll have to replace the damaged board. It can also damage the siding if you aren’t careful. Many homeowners choose to perform external pressure relief when Basement wall repair methods fail to do the job they are designed to do.
Outside pressure can be applied in a couple of ways. You can use “salt flats” by applying salt (salt free) to the inside of a wall in preparation for installation or removal. Special plastic straps are made from black rubber to hold the sodded to the wall. A brad nail or stud nail is used to attach the straps. The curved shape of the straps provides additional support and the brad nails are strong enough to handle the weight of the entire wall.
Another way to apply pressure on the wall is with epoxy resins. Epoxy resins can be applied in the same way as the salt flats, but they are easier to apply. You don’t need to apply as much pressure, but you do need to ensure that the resin is allowed to dry thoroughly between applications. Apply the resin with steady strokes and make sure that the applied area has a smooth finish before covering with more epoxy resin.
Cracked Basement Walls: If your Basement walls are buckling or you feel there may be damage, this can all be fixed with some simple repair skills. Use a sharp knife to cut out the area that is causing the bow. Be careful not to cut into the adjoining wall or you could further damage that wall. If the damaged Basement wall is located inside the house, remove debris from the outside of the house and then apply patching tape to the inside of the house to create a seal.
In many cases this damage can be fixed, it is often recommended to seek professional help. Often Basement Wall Repair can be done at very reasonable prices. The benefits of doing this type of repair yourself are that if you have no experience with Basement Wall Repair then you can always call a professional to give you an estimate. The cost of hiring professionals to repair damage to Basement walls can be greatly reduced if you choose a professional company to carry out the Basement Wall Repair.