Basement Crack Sealing Chicago
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How Can I Repair My Basement Walls And Prevent Leaks?
The easiest thing you can do is catch the problem early. As mentioned above if left go, basement walls begin to deteriorate which then becomes a very major repair that requires excavation, removal of existing basement block, and more. It's a very expensive process that most people would prefer avoiding.
The polyurethane injection solutions we offer can quickly repair those cracks in your basement and provide a strong repair that is waterproof and doesn't wash away. We are also able to provide a repair that goes deep into your walls or basement floor providing a strong bond that actually seals water out rather than traditional waterproofing methods that just run a channel to a sump pump. This keeps your basement dry and eliminates water in your basement!
Sealing cracks in basements is one of the more common basement repair requests we receive. With the types of soil we have in the Chicago area, the freeze and that, etc. it's no surprise that basements often develop cracks that let water in and cause other problems.
If left untreated cracks in the walls of a basement can become a serious issue and can cause other structural problems over time. Why did your basement walls crack in the first place?
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Soil Erosion - Soil erosion can cause cracks in your basement walls by way of damaged footer tiles, water line leaks, etc. This soil erosion causes a lack of support to the footer which can then begin to sink under the pressure of your home causing basement walls to crack.
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Hydrostatic Pressure - Imagine a wheelbarrow filled to the brim with dirt, now imagine it with someone running a hose on it for an hour... Hydrostatic pressure can put a lot of stress on the walls of your basement causing the walls to bow and eventually crack under the extreme stress of holding back all that water-soaked soil.
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Shrinking Concrete Mortar - While this is usually a minor cause of cracks in a home's basement walls often when it was built with cinderblock if these cracks begin to expand it is a good idea to fill them before they start letting water in.
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Poor Basement Construction - Poor construction of a basement can absolutely lead to cracks that need to be sealed. Often times undersized footings and/or undersized support beams can cause damage to the foundation and/or basement walls.
Types Of Basement Cracks We Can Repair In The Chicago Area
As you've seen basements crack for many different reasons but regardless of why the basement walls or floor have cracked, sealing them properly with a long-lasting repair is extremely important. If a crack is not properly repaired, water will begin to seep in which can cause efflorescence, mold, and even cause the concrete to deteriorate over a period of time which becomes a serious structural issue.
This is a good example of what you do not want to see when someone is sealing cracks in your basement. Surface-only treatments do not last and do not fix the problem.
Basement Crack Repair Methods Used In Chicago
When caught early the solutions we offer can quickly repair those cracks in your basement and provide a strong repair that is waterproof and doesn't wash away. We are also able to provide a repair that goes deep into your walls or basement floor providing a strong bond that actually seals water out rather than traditional waterproofing methods that just run a channel to a sump pump. This keeps your basement dry and eliminates water in your basement!
Caulking Basement Cracks
This type of basement crack repair is far from ideal and typically very short-lived. The problem with caulk is that it is a glorified bandaid. Caulk is typically applied over the top of a crack in the basement or pumped into the crack as far as it can be from the surface and really doesn't allow for deep penetration of the crack, a good bond that will last, or any of the qualities you are looking for in a basement crack repair.
Caulking typically leaks soon after the repair has taken place and eventually starts separating from the concrete surface and falls off.
Epoxy Crack Injections
Epoxy is a very common material used by many basement repair contractors however the problem with it is that it is ridged once cured. Rigidity is not your friend when it comes to something like basement walls that move as hydrostatic pressure changes, weather changes, etc.
Since epoxy is rigid like concrete, it too can crack as the concrete moves. It can also break free from the surface of the concrete it was supposed to bond to.
The biggest problem with using it for waterproofing is twofold. Since epoxy needs to be done on a dry surface, it is rarely a good fit for this application since you are inherently using it in a wet or at a minimum, damp environment. Epoxy also has a very slow cure time, allowing it to move, and potentially come in contact with water ruining the repair.
Fixing Basement Cracks Or Waterproofing From The Outside
Fixing basement cracks from the outside is great but of course, there is one major downfall. IT'S EXPENSIVE! Having a waterproofing or basement contractor out to dig out around your home and repair or replace damaged basement walls is a last resort kind of repair. We would only recommend this to someone if their walls are bowing and more simple repairs just will not help.
Once you start digging around your foundation too it opens you up to potential repairs again down the road too. Your basement walls were new once too right?!? See replacing the walls is not always the best option, but, in extreme cases, it can be.
Basement excavation to repair bowing basement walls.
How We Fix Leaky Basement Cracks In The Chicago Area With Polyfoam Injection
Polyurethane Injection Basement Crack Sealing
This is what we typically recommend for customers we work with. Our polyurethane injection basement crack sealing allows us to pump liquid polyurethane foam deep back into cracks sealing them completely. The two-part liquid expands when pumped into the crack allowing it to completely fill the damaged basement wall or floor.
Not only can we penetrate cracks deep, but our foam is able to be used in water and can still bond to concrete surfaces!
Unlike epoxy, our polyfoam remains more elastic allowing it to move with your basement's concrete ensuring a proper seal for years.
What about a warranty? We guarantee our repairs with a full LIFETIME WARRANTY!
Check out the video below to see what poly injection looks like and give us a call for a free estimate today!