How Basement Wall Crack Repair Can Be Done

Cracks in basement walls can be big problems. Water can seep through the crack. Termites and other bugs can come through, too. However, the worst part is that the crack could signal foundation damage.

Not every crack is dangerous, but some are. That's why it's a good idea to call in a foundation contractor when you see a crack in your basement wall. They'll let you know what it signifies and if foundation repairs are needed. At the least, you'll need to have the crack fixed. Here's how a contractor may go about basement wall crack repair.

Start By Widening The Crack If Needed

Sometimes widening a crack is necessary. Filler can get to the back of the crack and do a better job of filling up the crack if the crack is wide enough. If the crack has an odd shape or is too narrow, the contractor might insert a tool that deepens or widens the crack a little bit.

This will create concrete dust, so cleaning the wall is necessary. The area should be cleaned even if the crack doesn't need to be widened. The wall around the crack should be clean and dry so the crack filler and putty used will adhere well.

Inject Epoxy Crack Filler

Epoxy is a good filler for concrete cracks. It can be injected with a caulk gun or through ports the contractor installs. Installing ports is a common step in basement wall crack repair. These are inserted in the crack and spaced several inches apart. The epoxy is then injected through the ports.

To make sure the epoxy gets to the far side of the crack and fills it completely, the contractor may cover the top of the crack with epoxy putty or similar material. This keeps the epoxy injection from oozing out. Once the crack is completely filled, the epoxy will start to ooze out the next port instead. The contractor will probably start with the lowest port and work their way up the crack.

Buff And Paint The Repairs

Once the crack is filled, there will probably be an ugly mess on the wall. The final step in basement wall crack repair is to finish the area so the repairs are invisible. This entails removing the ports and buffing or grinding down the putty so it's smooth and level with the surface of the wall. Once that's done, the contractor can paint over the repaired area so it blends in well with the rest of the paint on the wall. If you don't care about making the wall attractive, the contractor may skip painting.

Contact a basement wall crack repair service near you to learn more.