How To Repair A Crack In Basement Foundation

Outside of hairline cracks, larger stress cracks occur when a business firm settles or the ground beneath information technology shifts. These types of cracks don't usually pose a threat to the structural integrity of a house, but they practice permit for a potential opening for groundwater, insects and radon gas.

We'll evidence you lot a simple and effective way to patch cracks with the best concrete fissure filler.

Prepare Physical Cracks in 8 Steps

Pace 1: Repair a Foundation Crack With an Epoxy Sealer

Man Using Wire Brush to Clean Crack in Concrete

We repaired a foundation wall, which had an 8-ft.-long scissure that leaked water into the basement during periods of heavy rainfall. To permanently patch the crack nosotros used an epoxy-injection system from Polygem, called the Liquid Concrete Repair Kit (about $60).

Each kit contains a two-part epoxy crack sealer, 2 10-oz. tubes of Liquid Concrete Repair (LCR), a viscous epoxy that comes in a caulk-blazon cartridge, and 7 plastic injection ports that evangelize the LCR deep into the fissure. There'south plenty material in each kit to repair a 1/16-in.-wide x viii-in.-deep x 8-ft.-long crack.

Before you get-go, check to make sure the fissure is dry. If the scissure is slightly damp, dry out it with a accident-dryer, then await 15 minutes. If information technology remains dry, proceed with the repair. Yet, if the dampness returns, h2o is still seeping into the crack and you'll have to look for it to dry out on its own.

Commencement, scrub the crack make clean of whatever loose concrete, paint or onetime cleft filler using a wire castor. Remove all dust and droppings with a shop vacuum.

Stride ii: Block Out the Injection Ports

Hammering Nail In Crack For Injection Ports

Tap 3-in. (10d) finishing nails partway into the crack, spaced 12 in. apart. You'll apply them to align the injection ports with the crack.

Pace 3: Mix the Epoxy Sealer

Open upward the ii containers of epoxy crack sealer and scoop out equal amounts of Part A and Part B; utilise ii split up sticks to avert contamination. Mix the two parts on a bit board using a make clean putty knife; alloy until you attain a uniform gray color.

Pace iv: Adhere the Injection Port

Attaching Injection Port in Cracked Concrete

Spread some sealer onto the base of i of the plastic injection ports, being conscientious non to plug upward its hole. Slide the port over one of the nails sticking out of the crevice and press it to the wall. Install the remaining ports in a similar manner.

Step 5: Spread Sealer Along the Fissure

Applying Epoxy Sealer on Crack on Concrete Wall

Adjacent, mix upwards a slightly larger batch of epoxy sealer and apply information technology to the entire fissure using a 1 ½-in.-wide putty knife or margin trowel. Spread the sealer near 1/viii in. thick and i in. on either side of the crack. Besides, cover the entire flange of each injection port with crack sealer, leaving simply the extended neck portion showing. Smooth out the sealer and plume its edges with a paintbrush dipped in mineral spirits.

Footstep vi: Inject the Epoxy into the Crack

If the other side of the wall is accessible, see if the crack goes make clean through. If it does, seal information technology upward with crack sealer, too. Allow the sealer to cure for 6 to 10 hours before injecting the epoxy. Thoroughly mix the LCR epoxy using the plunger rod that comes with the kit. Identify the LCR cartridge into a caulk gun. Starting at the everyman injection port, dispense the epoxy into the crack. Keep squeezing the trigger until epoxy begins to ooze out of the port directly above.

Step vii: Seal Upwardly the Injection Ports

Remove the gun and plug up the port you just filled. At present insert the cartridge tip into the port that's oozing and squeeze the trigger to dispense the epoxy. Repeat this procedure for the remaining ports; plug up each one before moving on to the next.

Step 8: Cut Abroad the Injection Ports

Let the LCR to cure for 5 days, and so cut off the necks of the ports with a hacksaw. If desired, you tin can patch the severed ports with a little crack sealer.

Resources:

Polygem
Box 609
Dept. TH700
Due west. Chicago, IL 60186
Polygem
630/231-5600