#1 Concrete Crack Foundation Repair Services

Basement wall cracks also can widen. While a particular foundation crack may not necessarily be a problem at the time, that can change as soon as the next heavy rainstorm 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 concrete gap to widen, allowing further seepage into the basement.

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 will occur, which ultimately weakens the foundation. Also, the natural settling of the foundation can lead to concrete cracks. Most cracks in a foundation will happen in the first two years after the foundation has been poured in place. However, this does not mean they will leak immediately, and soil conditions can play a factor. Leaks may not occur for years after a flaw has developed.
For wet and leaking concrete foundation cracks, the preferred injection material is Polyurethane. Polyurethane foam is a flexible material that quickly injects into the crack. Upon contact with water or moisture within the wall break, Polyurethane foam reacts by expanding throughout the void, filling the crack and any void on the foundation's exterior.

For Structural Foundation wall defects, Epoxy is preferred to bond the concrete back together effectively and structurally. It can be further reinforced with the use of Carbon fiber and Kevlar systems. These Epoxies are made in many different thicknesses and will penetrate or fill through the wall to the exterior. The same methods are used for snap ties, spalls, and many other structural defects in the concrete foundation wall.

Should your home require a sump pump service to replace a failed internal sump pump. For some older houses where the current weeping tile drain has failed or collapsed, the first option before any excavation is to install a new sump pump deeper than average to control groundwater and is highly successful.

The most common use is with walk out basements when the current weeping tile tends to freeze in the winter. An external system will allow dewatering below the frost line this will prevent water from being forced under the basement slab. This water under the slab can saturate the local expansive clay and cause floor heaving.

A collapsed weeping tile or a malfunctioning sump pump can leave your basement flooded when you least expect it. Some older houses built before 1960 may not have any weeping tile and may require a sump pump install at a minimum.

What can go wrong with weeping tile?

Not drain completely and allow water to undermine the footing and come up from the basement floor. This can also happen when the weeping tile is partially crushed from soil pressure over time.
The weeping tile can also silt up from surface and rain water draining from downspouts or the driveway overtime next to the house in silty soil. Flowing water washes dirt over time into the weeping tile reducing its effectiveness.
During construction, the weeping tile may not have been adequately covered in washed rock and clay covered over the tile drain holes, again reducing its effectiveness. It is common to find that the drain tile was crushed during the backfill process during construction, but the problem does not show up for years.

In the City Grande Prairie and in most Alberta communities, Sirca 1988 building code changed from allowing groundwater to drain into the sewer to mandating connecting a sump pit and pumping to the exterior. In previous construction, most houses would have a backflow preventer installed when tied to the sewer so that sewage cannot back up into the weeping tile . This backflow preventer can cause problems when they get stuck in the closed position and is a common problem with this system when they age.

Window wells are used when the soil level is above the sill plate. Window wells serve three functions:
1. Hold back soil from the window.

2. Installed far enough to allow egress from the basement window.

3. Allow for water drainage to the weeping tile system .

Most window wells are not appropriately installed as most are too small, not allowing for Egress and most commonly installed without installing the drain tile extension. Installed believing that the well will hold back water.