NextStar Foundation Crack repair page and information

Basement waterproofing begins with concrete crack repair,
leaking foundation cracks can be repaired without digging.

The repairing of structural deficiencies and/or wall seepage as a result of foundation cracks are a critical aspect of the basement waterproofing process. Today, the most efficient and economical way to repair poured foundation cracks is with low-pressure injection of either epoxy or polyurethane foam. NextStar provides a variety of polyurethane and epoxy resin injection materials and services for the repair of basement wall cracks.

Repairing Non-Structural Foundation Cracks: Wet and Leaking

Most concrete foundation cracks are strictly leaking problems, especially during heavy rains and snow melt. Not only can excess water in the basement potentially damage or ruin valuable items, but chances for mold and mildew growth are significantly higher, which directly impacts a home's indoor air quality. Basement wall cracks also have the ability to widen. While a particular crack may not necessarily be a problem at the time, that can change as soon as the next heavy rain storm arrives. After a foundation crack forms, the prospect of water seepage (whether slight or major) is not a matter of if, but a matter of when. If water leakage from a foundation crack is minimal now, the potential exists for the crack to widen, allowing further seepage into the basement.
Example of leaking basement wall

These basement wall cracks, resulting from shrinkage, generally take place within the first 30 days after a foundation has been poured. As water within the concrete evaporates, the concrete shrinks. When extra water is added to the concrete, it makes it easier to install for the builder. Unfortunately, the wetter the concrete mix is, the more shrinkage is going to occur, which ultimately weakens the foundation. In addition, natural settling of the foundation also leads to concrete cracks.

For wet and leaking concrete foundation cracks, the preferred injection material is urethane . Urethane foam is a flexible material that easily injects into the crack. Upon contact with water within the crack, urethane foam reacts by expanding throughout the void, thus filling the crack.

Repairing Structural Foundation Cracks

Foundation cracks forming as a result of structural deficiencies can pose a serious threat to the home's foundation. Horizontal cracks, or cracks wider than a quarter of an inch are general signs of a structural crack. Structural cracks typically form as a result of wall movement from thermal changes, uneven loading and settling of the footing, soil pressure and/or soil shrinkage.

For the repair of structural foundation cracks, the injection material best suited is epoxy. Because the crack was initially caused by stress resulting from movement of the foundation, epoxy works to seal the crack, but epoxy by itself, will not prevent further foundation cracking. Further reinforcement most likely will be necessary, using carbon fiber countersunk staples or straps.

Carbon Fiber/Kevlar reinforcement

Bowed basement or foundation walls occur as a result of soil loads pushing against the wall. Compounded with depth and other factors and the lateral forces surpass the foundation's original resistance to these loads. Over time, these factors can produce lateral bending and the foundation or basement wall becomes bowed. This condition also produces significant cracking. If left unattended this condition will worsen with time jeopardizing both the structural integrity and resale value of the property.

Bowed basement or foundation walls can be straightened but require excavation of foundation, lifting the weight of the structure off of the wall and pushing the wall back to as close to plumb as possible. Even after this is accomplished, the wall itself has lost the structural integrity and requires reinforcement. You can also reinforce a bowed concrete foundation or basement wall that is still within tolerance at it's current condition without straightening. Historically, I-beams were used to correct a bowed basement or foundation wall by erecting the beams in a fashion that provides lateral concrete reinforcement. While remaining an effective method, installation can be expensive and the end result are obtrusive beams sticking out from the wall. In addition, the cracks which have undoubtedly occurred as a result of the bowed basement or foundation wall are not addressed.

Bowed basement walls can be resolved using the latest carbon-fiber technology systems. Using carbon-fiber kevlar sheet straps in combination with specifically designed epoxies, bowed basement walls can now be repaired and arrested with little to no obtrusiveness. The repaired bowed basement wall can then be painted thereby creating an almost invisible repair, thereby increasing the resale value of your home.
There are 6 ways in which a cement fracture in a below-grade poured wall generally moves:

•Tensile/inward: due to lateral loading
•Outward: due to shrinkage of soils
•Opening: due to thermal changes
•Closing: due to thermal changes, i.e. cold, wet, dry, etc.
•Shear: due to differential loading
•Combination: all of the above conditions, plus the added load of the structure

The best results for structural cracks in foundations is using a combination of epoxy crack injection and carbon-fiber kevlar reinforcement.

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Need work done on your foundation?

NextStars direct service area is the Peace region of Alberta and B.C. including :
Grande Prairie and area, Peace River, Ft St John, Dawson Creek, Valleyview and Slave Lake .
Contact 780-518-9806 or Toll Free 866-445-3984
Should you be outside our direct service area you can also purchase directly from our Online store. Contractor pricing available.

Foundation Crack Repair

Example of typical repair of leaking basement wall.

The concrete is cleaned and injection ports are installed over drilled access points. Epoxy or Polyurethane is injected to completely fill the crack from the inside out. This means that we usually do not need to excavate the exterior of the the wall and be completed in typically one day.

Example of before and after of cracked foundation wall repaired with low presure injection

Need work done on your foundation?

Carbon Fiber/Kevlar products