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The prime cause of
cracks in concrete foundation is seepage of
water. Such cracks caused due to leakage of
water are thin and hairline. They may widen over
time, but they are present only in those areas
where the seepage occurs. In order to repair
leakage cracks, it is necessary first to
investigate the source and the point from which
the leakage originates.
There may be other reasons for concrete
foundations to crumble. Soil may lose its
moisture content in summer. There may be
underground roots which may wither and die. Such
natural causes make the soil shrink and hence
the foundation may move. Though this movement is
gradual, overtime it will cause cracks to occur.
These cracks will be large gaping ones, running
across the entire length of the foundation. They
may even be in the form of tiny holes in certain
places.
Whatever be the
reason, cracks in the foundation are very
perilous if ignored. Repair must be done as soon
as possible. Difficulties involved in the repair
process are influenced by how big the cracks
are.
For tiny moisture
created cracks, the repair is relatively simple
and can be done by almost anyone. These cracks
must first be brushed clean with a wire brush. A
jet of water may be passed to remove any loose
concrete particles within the crack. The crack
is then allowed to dry completely and filled
with concrete caulk. If the crack is large, then
it is packed with patching materials that are
specifically available for concrete. These
patching materials must be wet when applied.
They are limestone based, and they expand as
they dry, filling up the crack completely. The
finishing touch is to apply a sealant to the
repaired crack.
But if the crack is
sinister and not the do-it-yourself kind, then
it is most prudent to shell out a few dollars
and hire some good repairmen. Such cracks occur
due to rods which may have rusted inside and
snapped or because of deterioration of the
materials present within the concrete. Some
leakage cracks when ignored can also reach
dangerous levels. Such cracks are more found in
poured concrete.
Contractors treat
the concrete foundation with urethane injections
to extract the embedded water. They may even
excavate the area around the foundation and
replace the faulty tile or construct a provision
for the water to lose contact with the
foundation. |
