If you have discovered cracks in the foundation of your home, you should plan for immediate repair. The cracks might seem small and insignificant during the initial stages of occurrence. However, over time, the cracks will expand and could compromise the base of your building. In addition, the fissures may allow water to seep into your building, leading to problems like mould growth. Here are some basic guidelines to keep in mind for foundation cracks repair.

Inspect Your Structure

It is important to check on the building's condition before conducting your repairs. An assessment will help you understand the extent of the damage. In some cases, the cracks might be minor problems which can be resolved by a basic patch. However, there might also be unidentified and concealed damage which might be compromising the integrity of the house. Additionally, an inspection is essential for identifying the root cause of cracking. Subsequently, a reliable repair plan will be formulated.

Choose an Approach

Once the nature and extent of foundation cracking are established, you should commission proper restoration by a qualified contractor. The right method of repair will depend on the state of your building as well as the construction material. For instance, concrete structures have a solid and stable form. Therefore, if one wants to ensure complete sealing, they must use an expanding sealant which will penetrate the gap and then expand to fill the crevices. If the damage in the foundation is significant, more extensive repair methods like underpinning might have to be considered.

Consider a Simple Seal

If you cannot plan for complete foundation repair due to challenges like cost, you can opt for a temporary seal. This will keep the cracks closed, minimising the risk of water leakage into the base of the building. Typically, this simple seal involves injecting epoxy into the cracked area. This procedure should be done by a professional contractor, but if the crack is well-accessible, you can handle it. Keep in mind that this seal will deteriorate if the underlying issue is not resolved.

Plan for Protection

Finally, you should prevent the recurrence of foundation damage after carrying out the repairs. This should involve promoting good drainage of rainwater around the building. If stagnation or flooding occurs around the house, the building base will sustain damage. You should also plan for regular check-ups of this element. Any damage must be resolved promptly to minimise structural degradation. If you are uncertain about the status of your foundation at any point, consult a qualified contractor. 

To learn more about foundation crack repairs, reach out to foundation specialists for more info.

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