Your home's foundation -- depending on the climate in your area -- may be affected by intense seasonal changes in the ground. While in the winter groundwater freezes and the ground contracts around your home's foundation, in spring the ground expands, as water is released (often finding its way into your basement). These changes often produce unsightly cracks, which can be easily repaired by do-it-yourselfers. The most common methods for DIY foundation repairs include cementing, epoxy injections, and polyurethane injections. Does this Spark an idea?
Applying Cement
One of the simplest solutions is to fill any cracks, and cover any gaps, with cement. Buy cement mixes at your local hardware or home supply store. Mix the cement in a bucket with the instructed amount of water, and apply it to damaged areas of your foundation using a trowel. According to RadonSeal.com (see Reference 1), use hydraulic cement for DIY basement repairs, as it has some water-resistant qualities. Also, when applying the cement, pat it own firmly to remove any lingering air bubbles that could potentially cause cracks in the cement as it dries.
Injecting Epoxy
Epoxy is an adhesive substance made from synthetic polymers. Inject it into foundation cracks with a caulking gun. According to BasementSystems.ca, epoxy not only seals foundation cracks, but it also makes the whole structure stronger (as the epoxy, once dry, is more durable than the surrounding concrete). However, according to the same source, the curing or drying time for epoxy is quite slow, and the substance can only bond to dry surfaces. So if your foundation crack is moist or leaking, count epoxy out.
Injecting Polyurethane
This synthetic resin is perhaps the most versatile substance for DIY foundation repair. You inject polyurethane as a liquid, which allows it to seep into all of the nooks and crannies of your foundation cracks and gaps. Then, once the substance comes in contact with moisture, it turns into a foam and expands --- according to RadonSeal.com -- until it is up to 20 times its original volume (epoxy and cement do not expand). Not only does polyurethane completely fill in damaged areas of your foundation -- including hairline fractures -- but it also repels moisture and allows your foundation to expand and contract -- without cracking -- as the seasons change.
Tags: your foundation, foundation cracks, areas your, areas your foundation, damaged areas, damaged areas your
