Out of nowhere, it showed up: a long, visible crack in your foundation. It doesn’t look too bad, but you’ve heard that cracks are often a sign of serious structural problems. Should you worry? Or should you not?
Some cracks are just that: cracks. They pose no real danger to your home, and all you need to do is patch them up. But others can be a symptom of a larger problem. Either way, the first thing you need to do is fill that crack.
There are three methods professionals use to repair cracks in a concrete foundation. If you’re unsure which one is the most suitable for your home, we explain the basics of each here.
Epoxy injection is a common method used to fix cracks of all sizes in concrete foundations. To start, we place ports over the crack. Then, we inject a 2-part epoxy, which acts like a glue, at a low pressure to seal the crack.
However, it’s crucial to know what caused the crack before using this method. If the crack is due to settlement, the foundation needs to be stabilized first with a solution like helical piers foundation repair.
Another method we use to repair cracks in concrete foundations is strapping, which involves placing metal straps across the crack and securing them to either side. This bonds concrete sections together and prevents the crack from opening back up. Typically, we use this method for homes built on active soil, like soil with high clay content, which swells and shrinks rapidly when exposed to moisture. These constantly changing soil conditions can cause foundation movement and subsequently, cracks.
The last method we use is rebar dowel reinforcement. Rebar (reinforcing bar) dowels are steel rods that we use to help concrete withstand tension. We embed dowels on either side of the crack and use a new rebar to connect these dowels to the concrete.
We only use this method for extreme cases—for example, on hillside foundations experiencing lateral movement or downhill creep.
Not all cracks are a cause for concern, but if you have a crack in your foundation, we highly recommend calling in a professional to inspect it. Cracks can happen for all sorts of reasons, including severe settlement, natural disasters, temperature changes, and plumbing leaks.
To protect your home and stop the cracking for good, you need to know what caused the cracking in the first place. If you find a crack in your foundation and need a professional to determine what caused it and fill it up, contact the experts at Foundation Tech. We can perform a free and thorough inspection to discover the root of the problem. Once we pinpoint the source of the cracking, we’ll work with you to determine the most effective, affordable option for filling the existing crack and preventing any future issues.