Cinderblock home foundations are generally strong and water-resistant, but with time, they can develop leaks and cracks. These problems are difficult to repair and might indicate greater issues with the house's structure, but you can attempt to repair smaller leaks and cracks. You can learn repair these problems in a cinderblock home foundation in a few steps. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Leaks
1. Examine the leak to determine its location and seriousness. If the leak is small and is not causing damage to your home, you may not want to spend time and effort repairing it.
2. Dig a large, deep trench along the exterior wall of the home where the leak is present. The hole should go all the way to where the foundation meets the earth. It should be wide enough for a person to stand in.
3. Mix the cement plaster so it is a smooth, spreadable consistency. Climb into the hole with the cement and a flat trowel.
4. Spread the plaster across the entire affected wall in a thick, even layer. Wait two to three days for the mixture to dry.
5. Apply another thick, even layer of foundation tar, using the flat trowel. Wait another couple days for the mixture to dry.
6. Insert a section of drainage tubing into the ditch to divert water from the foundation.
Cracks
7. Look at the crack. If it is wider than an inch, you may need to call a professional to look at the house's structure. If it is smaller, continue with the repair.
8. Create a dry cement plaster mixture. Make sure it is so dry that there are still parts of dry concrete in the mixture.
9. Insert as much cement into the crack as you can. Make sure it is completely full, and then smooth the surface of the crack using a flat trowel.
10. Wait one to two days for the crack to dry before covering or painting over it.
11. Monitor the crack during the following months to see if it gets larger. If it does, call a contractor to take a look at your house.
Tags: flat trowel, cement plaster, days mixture, even layer, flat trowel Wait, house structure