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Month: October 2022

Water Seepage In The Walls

Posted on by POM_Plumbing

Water seepage is a process whereby water passes through a wall or flows from one place to another through small holes (cracks) or imperfections in porous materials. It is one of the most common problems for homeowners. In this situation, you need to carefully inspect the area and have the sealing wall cracks repaired to avoid more problems in the future.

Why water leaks through walls: the main reasons

Fixing cracks in concrete walls that leak can be caused by poor quality building materials used during construction or improper insulation. The outside walls of the building are regularly exposed to adverse weather factors that can provoke moisture seepage. If this problem is not solved in time, it can ruin the interior renovation.

Various factors can trigger moisture in the walls:

  • A burst sewer, a leak in the kitchen or bathroom;
  • Breakdown in the water line, plumbing, and drain pipes;
  • Water leaking into the tile in the bathroom;
  • improper plumbing work;
  • unplastered walls;
  • an increase in the water table on the property;
  • lack of drainage;
  • poorly finished window frames.

How to find a leak

Professional fixing of cracks in walls is done after identifying the problem. To identify the leak, you must take the following steps:

  1. Locate water stains.
  2. Identify the source of the leak. It can be old pipes, faulty plumbing, and more.
  3. Call an engineer to see if there is a gap between the walls of your home and your neighbor’s.

Leaks can also sometimes be caused by poor quality building materials used to exterior plaster the walls.

What can cause a leak

Improperly waterproofing a wall from the inside often leads to leaks. Water often seeps through walls or ceilings because of its accumulation on the roof. More often than not, wet footprints are the result of faulty plumbing. Clogged gutters, broken vents, chimneys, windows, and doors can also be the problem. Sometimes the cause can be at a lower level – improper drainage of gutters, broken sprinkler pipes, or poor building alignment.

Whatever the source, any situation will require qualified wall seepage repair to effectively and quickly resolve the problem.

Why cracks appear in the walls: common causes

Fixing cracks in poured concrete walls can be necessary for various situations. Often these defects are due to several causes:

  1. The building is very new. In this situation, cracks appear due to the shrinkage of the house. Cracks caused by shrinkage should be sealed only 12 months after construction completion. It applies in particular to wooden construction.
  2. Settlement cracks in window and door openings. All houses shift a little over time. Where it’s thin, it tears – so there’s a good chance the weak spot will crack.
  3. The structure has stood empty for a long time. Often these defects occur in vacation homes and those structures that have remained empty for quite a long time (more than a few months). The reason for the cracks is that the rooms do not have proper air circulation, as in a house where people live.
  4. Improper installation of tape. During the installation of gypsum board sheets, a special mortar is applied between the panels, and paper tape is attached. The tape can eventually fall off if the solution is sparingly used. In its place, you can see a micro crack. If the crack is only one, you should take the glue and attach the tape. If it has fallen off several places, it is worth re-gluing it completely.

Regardless of the cause, it would be best if you did a qualified patching of the reason and the visible defects. If you ignore this process, it will provoke more severe problems. It is better not to delay the repair and immediately contact real professionals who know how to solve the problem so that it does not happen again.

How Do You Fix Cracks In The Walls

Use unique waterproofing solutions for interior walls to seal cracks. If the crack is deeper than ¼ inch, you should use a filler for the task before applying the jointing compound. You should first dilute the compound according to the instructions. It is then applied to the crack until the mass fills the defect. Next, tape and seam sealant is used to achieve a completely smooth and even wall. It is the easiest wall crack solution to handle.

If you want to entrust this task to real professionals, contact the right company.

How Do We Stop Water Getting Into Walls?

You can prevent structural wall cracks in the following ways:

  • Install exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom. This equipment will help remove excess moisture.
  • Do not dry laundry after washing inside the house. You can also put special dehumidifiers in the house that remove excess moisture from the air.
  • Do not paint the walls during the cold season, as this leads to increased humidity inside the walls.
  • When cooking in the kitchen, use extraction, ventilation, and other methods to quickly remove steam from the space.
  • Make sure that window frames are installed at the proper angle so that rainwater does not accumulate but drains away from the soffits. You can seal openings with installation foam, rubber, and other things.

You may also want to consider adding more plants to the house that can soak up the excess moisture in the air.

Seepage In Wall: How To Hide It?

Cracks in walls and water running through them make a house ugly. If you want to hide it, here are some practical tips:

  • If there is a leak at the bottom of the wall, you can hide it with furniture – just put a large sofa against the wall. At the same time, it is worth remembering that increased humidity can significantly damage the furniture’s upholstery.
  • If the traces of the leak are at the top of the wall, you can cover them with a picture or a frame with a photo.
  • Also, you can repaint the wallpaper where the moisture seeped.
  • You can arrange a vertical garden on the wall to hide the traces of defects.

In any case, the above masking methods are only an extension of the capital solution to the problem. Good quality fixing water seepage in walls requires more thorough work to identify the source, solve the leak’s cause, and eliminate the visible signs.

Waterproofing Your Walls: All You Need To Know

Waterproofing house walls must meet the most important rule – it must not allow water to enter and must not prevent it from exiting. The bathroom should be the waterproofing center of the whole house because it is where a lot of moisture is concentrated. Any leakage of water can adversely affect the condition of the adjacent walls.

At the same time, interior wall waterproofing should be carried out. It would be best if you also remembered that external factors such as rain, snow, etc. might harm the house’s condition. In this situation, not only the walls in the bathroom should be waterproofed, but also other rooms.

You should also pay special attention to the ceilings – they can leak if the house is not properly waterproofed. These surfaces should be checked regularly, and problems should be corrected in case of leaks.ф

How To Repair Foundation Cracks From The Outside?

Posted on by POM_Plumbing

Over the years of use of a private home, certain defects can occur. One of the most common problems is cracks in the foundation. To cope with this problem, you need to know how to fix cracks in the foundation on the outside properly and who you should turn to for this task.

What causes foundation cracks from the outside?

Crack-in foundation wall outside comes in a variety of ways. Experts divide cracks into structural and nonstructural. The former threatens the integrity of the entire house. They can be caused by:

  • Expansive soil type. If the foundation is in soil that contains a lot of clay, then this soil is called expansive soil. As a result of moisture absorption, the soil swells; after it dries, on the contrary, it shrinks. Because of the swelling and increased pressure, the foundation of the building may be covered with cracks. And after compression, the walls will begin to unclench, which provokes the expansion of damage. This kind of movement will occur every time the weather changes.
  • Hydrostatic pressure. Poor waterproofing of foundation walls outside and lack of drainage system to collect runoff moisture leads to the fact that water begins to accumulate near the base of the building. As a result, pressure is formed on the walls, which provokes cracks.
  • Swelling as a result of exposure to low temperatures. When the ground freezes, it can cause the earth to rise and the pressure from the walls to be relieved, but in the future, the ground volume will decrease again when thawing. Also, the ground may increase in volume, increasing pressure on the walls. These movements provoke cracking.
  • Differential settlement. After the construction of a building, it will certainly settle. Most often this happens evenly. But it can also happen that a differential shrinkage occurs – parts of the house sink into the soil differently on each side. It can result in the warping of the walls, flooring, and cracks in the foundation.
  • Lateral pressure. If you place heavy objects in the ground next to the house’s foundation, the excess weight will cause the soil to press heavily against the walls and create increased pressure.
  • Other factors. Cavities under the structure, poor soil, and insufficient soil compaction can lead to cracks.

Nonstructural cracks can occur if a waterproofing a foundation exterior wall is not sealed correctly. These defects do not affect the structural integrity of the entire building. They are provoked by:

  • Aging. Natural processes cause cracks in the foundation. Often these effects are less than 1/10 of an inch wide. If the crack is growing, you should think about caulking it.
  • Concrete shrinkage. As a result of the concrete drying out too quickly, micro-cracks form on the surface.

These defects can often be found near windows, in corners, and under 2-tab beams.

Properly inspect outside foundation cracks

Before fixing exterior foundation cracks, the foundation of the building must be inspected. A thorough inspection will allow you to plan the work properly, calculate the cost and avoid surprises. Internal ones can provoke external cracks. A detailed inspection also involves assessing the condition of the interior foundation. With the help of the inspection will be able to determine the appropriate type of repair.

It should also be determined whether the crack in the foundation is deep or superficial. To this end, it is necessary to remove a small patch from the outer crack of the foundation. This way, you will be able to check whether only the plaster is cracked or the entire wall underneath is cracked.

Fixing Foundation Cracks From the Outside: How to Patch Minor Cracks

Properly fixing foundation cracks from the outside is a must, as ignoring this process can lead to more significant problems if you leave the crack as it is. Real estate is a considerable investment. It should be taken care of if you don’t want to lose your investment.

If there are micro-cracks outside, you can try fixing foundation wall cracks from the outside yourself. This process involves several steps:

  1. inspection of the base of the building;
  2. preparation of the crack for repair;
  3. direct sealing of the defect;
  4. seal exterior foundation cracks.

Changes in humidity can lead to the appearance of shrinkage cracks. Only those tiny cracks that do not affect the structural integrity of the entire house should be sealed. It would be best if you did not leave them unattended because these defects can grow over time. If the foundation has a crack, you should regularly check it for expansion. Vertical and horizontal cracks can cause severe problems with the house. The same applies to diagonal defects that start at the corner of the walls and run through the entire structure plane.

Structural cracks can provoke basement flooding. It is also a terrible consequence. To avoid dampness and severe deterioration, the crack must be repaired promptly.

What Are The Supplies You’ll Need to Repair Cracked Foundation Outside?

Professional and quality exterior foundation crack repair requires specific knowledge, skills, and experience. If you want to solve the problem on your own, but even for fixing a small crack, you need to buy a complete set of materials and tools. In particular, for the repair, you will need:

  • a respirator;
  • hammer;
  • cement mixture;
  • assembly gun;
  • trowel;
  • repair compound.

Repairing small cracks in the foundation is an excellent option if you want to restore the integrity of the foundation of the structure yourself. On your own, it is best to solve not too serious problems. For example, hairline cracks in the joints of concrete mortar. This set of tools can even be used to seal cracks in drywall sheets.

But, if you have more severe defects, it is best to contact a company of real professionals. They will competently assess the problem’s essence, examine the house and offer the best way to eliminate the defect. If this problem is left unattended, it will lead to more significant issues in the future and more costs to fix.

When to Repair Foundation Cracks Yourself-And When to Call in the Pros

Even if you know how to repair crack foundation cracks outside, that doesn’t mean you should do it yourself. In some situations, you may be able to fix the defect yourself, but in exceptional cases, you need to have it done professionally. In particular, this applies to cracks in the foundation. This problem is best entrusted to real professionals. Otherwise, fixing it yourself can only lead to new situations.

The repair team will help with a variety of situations:

  • Hanging slab piles needing beams and supports;
  • raising a structure;
  • repairing cracks in the foundation, and more.

If your home has a crack in the foundation outside and you don’t know what to do about it, then contact our experts. A team of experts will inspect your home, identify the problem, and suggest the best solution.

Common Problem: Foundation Wall Leaks

Posted on by POM_Plumbing

The foundation is the foundation of a building, but when it becomes cracked, it starts to become saturated with moisture, slowly seeping into the walls. The result is mold and splits in the surface of your home. If the problem is not corrected, the service life of the building is reduced. You may not always be able to detect house foundantion problems immediately. Typically, a problem is noticed when mold develops on the walls and foul-smelling dampness begins to appear in the home.

How Are Foundation Wall Leaks Caused?

The leading cause of leaky walls is the formation of cracks in the foundation due to hydrostatic pressure that occurs when water penetrates the ground. As a result, the foundation is squeezed, resulting in fractures and microcracks. Not only moisture but insects enter the house through structural cracks in the foundation. In some cases, fractures appear in the foundation due to tree roots that grow next to the house. Damage to the foundation causes the walls to sag and the building to collapse. If you need waterproofing and fixing leaks in foundation walls, contact our company, and we will quickly fix the situation and provide a warranty on the completed work.

Fixing Foundation Cracks That Leak: 10 Ways

Thanks to our modern technology and extensive experience, our company conducts foundation wall leak repair in several ways. The cost depends on the method chosen. Let’s see 10 ways to solve different problems.

Fixing large cracks with epoxy

Large cracks can be repaired using epoxy. Clean the fracture from debris and dry it with a construction hair dryer before you start. After waiting 15 minutes, make a viscous solution of epoxy resin and pour it deep into the fracture with a large syringe. After the resin dries, fill the crack with putty. Then you can begin to paint the surface.

Fixing a narrow crack

First, watch the crack. If it’s deep and widening, you need to patch it up. If it is too narrow, you will need to widen the entrance of the fracture yourself to fill cracks in concrete foundation walls successfully. To do this, finish nails are driven into the fracture at 12 inches apart. After cleaning and drying the problem area, the prepared mortar is poured inside.

How to fill a crack larger than ⅛ inch

If the fracture is more than ⅛ inch, the crack is sealed with a sanded sealant or cement mortar. To avoid further cracking, after the fracture is filled with mortar, a reinforced mesh is placed over the joint, and puttying is done. To succeed, it is essential to fill fractures in foundation walls and use high-quality materials resistant to moisture.

Fixing the cracks in the foundation bordering the basement

Since the basement is filled after the foundation and the walls are installed, fractures often appear in the basement when the house sags. They are filled with a sealant that binds well to the concrete surface to fix concrete foundation cracks. Please do not wait for it to get bigger. Call a master. He will ensure that the poured concrete foundation crack will not appear again.

What to do if water has seeped into the crack?

To fix the leaking foundation wall, you first need to drain the water, clean and dry the fracture, and seal it. Water seeps into the basement because it is below grade. When water gets into the basement after precipitation, it causes mold appears on the walls. When sealing the fracture, you need to avoid moisture and use cement mortar with waterproofing properties to fill it.

What if the crack is more extensive than ½ inch?

A professional should be called in if the crack is more than ½ inch wide. Otherwise, fixing the problem yourself can cause structural issues. Our handyman will quickly fix the leak in the foundation of the house and waterproof it if necessary.

What does a bulge in the foundation of the house indicate?

Pouring the foundation of the house is carried out with reinforcement. Bulges may appear due to soil swelling and pressure on the foundation if the building is located on clayey wet soil. If a slight bulge is challenging to see, take a ruler and draw along the wall. If you find one, you need to patch the concrete foundation immediately, or else you will get a fracture, and moisture will start to seep into the foundation, gradually causing it to collapse.

What cracks are indicative of structural failure?

Any fracture should be repaired. Horizontal cracks appear due to hydrostatic pressure of the ground, and vertical fractures occur due to shrinkage of the house. If the wall has no bulges but there are cracks need to call a specialist. After all, water leaking through foundation cracks will contribute to mold development and increased humidity inside the room. The cause of their appearance determines the type of repair work to repair cracks. It may require additional groundwork, waterproofing, and strengthening of the foundation of the building. The scale of the problem and fixing leaking foundation crack will be made by the specialist of our company, providing a guarantee for services.

What do step cracks along the foundation tell about?

Cracks that change over time and hairline fractures should cause concern. It means that there is a destruction of the foundation of the structure and requires the best way to repair cracks in the concrete foundation by strengthening the base of the walls. Particularly dangerous are fractures that change their direction running along the joints. It indicates a movement of the ground beneath the building. The foundation moves, and fractures appear in the form of steps. Fixing the situation will help repair foundation cracks in the house with an additional pouring of the concrete mixture under the base of the building. It is also necessary to carry out waterproofing.

The best way to fix a crack is to fill it with epoxy

The best way to repair cracks in poured foundation walls is to fill them with epoxy resin. The material is solid and unaffected by moisture, frost, and other adverse conditions. Penetrating the structure of the concrete, it bonds firmly to the material, creating a single unit. The method is relevant when interior foundation crack repair is needed when the structure is severely damaged. This method is usually used when an earthquake has damaged a building. It is not the kind of resin that is used to make decorations. The material for repairing foundation water leak comes in special syringes. Thanks to the handy tip, the liquid penetrates quickly into the splits and fills them. To ensure that fixing cracks in foundation walls goes well, the fractures are first vacuumed and, if necessary, dried.

What’s The Next Step? Call In A Professional

Need sealing foundation cracks fast? Leave a call for a professional at our company. We’ll be sure to call you back with quality repair services. Our team includes professionals with extensive experience. They will help you choose a way to fix the crack, considering the customer’s budget.

Why is water leaking into the basement through cracks?

Posted on by POM_Plumbing

The house’s foundation and walls are constantly exposed to an adverse environment, which leads to cracks. Ground water comes in through cracks in basement walls, contributing to increased humidity. As a result, there is an unpleasant smell of damp, pink stains and mold in the room. If you do not caulk the crack in time, it will eventually begin to expand and lead to the destruction of the building.

Where do basement walls leak?

Most basement leaks and cracks occur in several places at once. Water seeps near the ductwork, through gaps in the wall surface, and at the junction of the ceiling and walls. Even if there are no visible leaks, if the wall is wet, you need to seal a leaking basement wall, which is better to order in our company.

Four Basic Types Of Basement Walls

Form a leaking crack in basement walls appears regardless of the surface material. There are four types of basement walls:

  • Concrete. Walls are cast in concrete and often have reinforcement inside. Pouring is carried out using particular forms.
  • Brick or block walls. It was built of rectangular concrete blocks or cinder blocks.
  • Reinforced concrete precast. The wall is built off-site and then brought in and installed.
  • Clay tile walls are often found in older homes. Because these basements and homes are over a hundred years old, they often require fixing cracks in basement foundation walls and sealing.

Cracks can be vertical, horizontal, and staggered. The last type of crack is the most dangerous because it indicates a foundation movement.

Basic Causes Of Basement Wall Cracks

Mostly foundation cracks in basement walls are caused by:

  • Pressure and lateral load on the foundation and the structure’s wall from the ground side.
  • Settling the soil will cause the foundation to move.
  • Proximity of groundwater and high soil moisture.
  • Concrete shrinkage after the first pour.

Mechanical damage or earthquakes can also cause cracks to appear. When cracks appear, it is urgent to seal cracks in concrete basement walls to prevent the destruction of the building.

Shrinkage Cracks

Shrinkage cracks are caused by changes in the volume of concrete during setting. Shrinkage cracks are also caused by poorly compacted soils and excessive moisture in the ground. These cracks mostly appear in new buildings because the weight of the building causes the building to “grow” into the ground. The subsidence is uneven, which leads to the appearance of cracks.

Vertical Cracks

Vertical cracks indicate differential subsidence of the building. If you see deep cracks, you need to fix a leaking basement wall by filling it with a special cement mortar or epoxy resin. When one of the sides of the wall shifts, there is a risk of collapse of the structure. The wall can come off the corner because of the incorrect distribution of gravity. Also, cracks appear due to moisture seepage and freezing. It causes the crack to widen. Patching the situation is repairing leaking basement wall cracks by first cleaning and drying them. You also need to take care of drainage and waterproofing.

Horizontal cracks

The pressure of the ground causes horizontal basement cracks. The wall becomes convex or tilts in the basement. If the building is on a mountainside or hill, the pressure will come to the side that is on top. If the ground is wet, there is a lot of pressure on the wall, which is the main reason for the seepage of water through the cracks that have formed. You can fix it with good drainage and basement sealing or install a pump to pump the water out. Burst water or sewage pipe near the basement could also cause damage. A horizontal crack in a basement wall can occur for several reasons:

  1. When soil backfill occurs after the foundation is poured.
  2. Wet soil and a lot of pressure from the side of the ground on the foundation.
  3. After the concrete is poured, heavy equipment is placed along the foundation, or a large-sized load is transported. A crack and micro-cracks appear because of vibrations.
  4. the concrete is poured in frosty weather.
  5. During the pouring of the foundation, used poor quality fittings.

If the situation is not corrected, a fixing of leaking crack in the basement wall will take place, creating comfortable conditions for mold and fungus development.

Diagonal And Stair Stepped Cracks

Diagonal cracks indicate ground movement, which causes cracks in the wall and problems in the foundation footing. If the crack comes down from the corner, it is caused by soil pressure. A crack also appears as a result of a damaged or poor-quality basement slab used during the basement construction. Sometimes cracks appear when the wall was filled in before the first floor was built. As a result, the wall leans inward into the basement, resulting in a diagonal crack. In this case, the best crack repair for basement walls involves caulking the crack and strengthening the base of the wall.

How To Fix A Basement Wall Crack?

No matter how serious the situation, you can always fix wet basements by repairing the crack. To do this, you need to:

  • Take a chisel and knock the wet concrete out of the crack.
  • Clean debris from the crack and dry it with a construction dryer.
  • Drill and insert a dowel in the hole every foot.
  • Tighten the pins using a ratchet tool.
  • Screw the tip onto the pin.
  • Apply cement mortar around the pin, but do not cover the tips.
  • Take an epoxy syringe and fill the crack with the mortar, using the oilers placed on the pins.
  • Once the resin has dried, caulk the crack with putty and smooth the surface.

To prevent any more water from leaking through the crack in the basement wall, waterproof the walls.

Waterproofing Paint

After you have sealed a fixing crack in the basement foundation wall, you should apply waterproof paint that can be found at any building store. It prevents the penetration of moisture by creating a vapor barrier. This type of sealing interior basement walls has been effective for several years. If the paint starts to peel, the old layer is removed. The walls will need to be cleaned of debris, and the paint will need to be reapplied.

Dampproofing From The Exterior

The waterproofing cracks in the basement wall must be done correctly. Sometimes the outside wall of the basement is covered with a waterproofing mortar to prevent water from the outside. It is not correct because sooner or later, cracks will appear anyway. To avoid the sealing basement leaks and to be durable, you should install a special membrane. To do this, completely excavate the foundation around the house’s perimeter and remove nearby paths and flower beds. Such work is expensive and takes a long time, but it is the best way to fix basement leaks, prolonging the operation of the structure.

How to fix a crack in a wall?

Correctly done concrete basement wall crack repair is an effective solution to a wet basement problem. Choosing a suitable sealing material is essential so it won’t expand, peel or shrink. If you need to fix a leaking crack in the basement wall, contact our company, our masters have extensive experience in solving such problems. Using modern materials and techniques, experts will quickly carry out sealing and provide a guarantee for the work performed.

Waterproof Wall Panels

We recommend not covering the surface of the walls with waterproof paints. To make a quality wet basement repair, install a unique wall panel. It will reinforce the surface and prevent moisture from seeping through. We suggest using these types of panels:

  • Insulated.
  • Waterproof panels.
  • Prefabricated insulation.
  • With a thermal barrier.

After draining the basement, we can also help you install a finished basement system.

Call In A Professional

You need to fix the water leak in the basement wall and leave an application on our company’s website. The team consists of professionals who will quickly and accurately fix the problem. The master will examine the building and pick up a suitable waterproofing method, considering your budget. All work is stipulated with the customer, and an estimate is made before work begins.

Can I Prevent Any More Cracks From Forming On My Basement Walls?

It’s challenging to prevent cracks from forming on walls and foundations. Over time, under the influence of external environmental factors, sooner or later, sealing basement cracks and waterproofing will be necessary. However, postponing this process will help to install water-repellent membranes during the construction of the house. If the building is already built, you need to carry out several repairs of cracks and microcracks with further waterproofing.

What, besides cracks, indicates a leaky basement?

Pay attention to the contact between the walls and the basement ceiling. In this place, most often, there is water seepage. Also, moisture will come in if there are hollows near the foundation or there is no water drainage. If you notice wet spots on the foundation, pink or black spots on the wall, or lime scale but no cracks, moisture is seeping through the micro cracks. Do not try to repair the water leak in the basement wall yourself. Call a master to find the root cause of the problem and then have the cracks sealed according to established standards. Our company provides professional crack repair and waterproofing services of any complexity. Save your time and nerves by ordering services from us!