What you need to know about Basement Wall Cracks

If you’ve been searching for information about basement wall cracks, chances are that you may be feeling overwhelmed with all the information you’ve come across. There are many companies out there that will try to sell you their solutions to solve your ‘foundation problem’. They won’t bother to ensure that their solution actually works for the long term. This is why it is important to learn as much as you can about basement wall cracks and their repair before you engage any contractor.

As you begin your research into foundation cracks and their repair, there are some things you will need to keep in mind:

1. Not all basement wall cracks need repair

With all the promotions that contractors use, you will find that some may try to convince you that every crack is a danger to the structural integrity of your home. The truth is that not all cracks need repair. Some cracks are simply a result of the natural settling process and are cosmetic.

Cracks that need repair are those that:

• Continue to grow wider with time
• Are excessively large, i.e. you can fit two or more quarters in the crack
• Are higher on one side than they are on the other. This mostly occurs in slab on grade homes or concrete floors.
• Have been inspected by an engineer who has advised you to have them repaired

If you’re unsure about the cracks on your basement walls, get a professional contractor to inspect them. They will tell you whether your cracks require extensive repair or not. You can get more than one contractor to perform the inspection to be sure.

2. Foundation repair contractors aren’t the same

Not all contractors will provide you with the same level of service. Don’t be fooled by their advertising or low prices. You should instead seek more information about their work and their solutions. The best way to do this is by visiting independent review sites and reading the reviews by their previous clients.

Be careful not to discount a company because of one or two negative reviews. Instead, find out why the client gave a bad review and what the company did to appease the client. You should also remember that you can’t please everyone all the time.

3. Repair products aren’t all the same

Carbon fiber, resistance piers, helical piers and epoxy injections are all products that are used to repair wall cracks. However, they are applied to address different problems. It is therefore important to find out the root cause of the cracking in order to apply the right solution.