Cracks

Foundation cracks are the ones that go clear through from the interior to the exterior of the home. Water eventually finds them before you do and you will start getting minor to major basement leaks and many more issues as a result. Some cracks are structural and represent an even bigger problem.

But do not worry, these cracks eventually repair themselves over time and you can forget that the problem ever existed!

How realistic did that sound? Many homeowners think that they are the exception and that this is the case in their situation only to end up with much more severe problems in the very near future. Be proactive and address your situation NOW!

Here is the truth about cracks:

- Over time, the earth around your home will start to settle and the shift in the weight around the foundation will create different forces around the concrete. This foundation movement stresses the concrete and causes cracks

- Foundation cracks will develop and continue to move as warmer and colder weather causes continuous structural expansion and contraction.

- When foundation cracks appear, they will go clear through the entire wall to the outside surface

- Vertical cracks are the most common and diagonal and horizontal cracks usually represent a structural issue.

- These cracks will worsen over time and eventually let moisture and water penetrate your foundation walls and leave you with aesthetic, safety, health, and financial problems that only get worse over time

There are several ways to repair foundation cracks. Some are very strong "band-aids" and others are "surgeries".

EFFECTIVE AND TEMPORARY:

- Polyurethane injection: This is done from the interior and is the process of injecting a polyurethane sealant into the crack in order to seal it.

- Epoxy injection: This is the same process as the polyurethane injection and is mostly used for structural cracks

NOTE: When injecting a crack from the interior, OFC applies a commercial-grade crystalline waterproofing compound over the injection for optimal protection!

These methods are effective and still temporary because any foundation work completed from the exterior will always have the upper hand. Do not let anybody tell you otherwise. If you are ever in doubt, research it!

When an interior repair method will not solve the problem in your specific situation, your best bet is to get a permanent fix

PERMANENT:

- Exterior crack injection and waterproofing: This method is known as a "crack dig" and involves digging in the area of the crack down to the footing, checking to ensure that your weeping tile system is functional, pressure washing the exposed wall, sealing the crack with hydraulic cement, applying our state-of-the-art waterproofing compound to the exposed wall, and backfilling with stone for optimal drainage. This comes with a 25-year transferable warranty and a guarantee that water will never get in from that area ever again!

For more information on permanent foundation repairs, read our Wet Basement section.

Whether you have visible cracks in your foundation or cannot see one yet have water, dampness or musty odours, it is in your best interest to have the issue resolved in order to prevent further damage.