If your basement leaks when it rains, it may be time for you to take a look at your home’s foundation. In many cases, cracks in your foundation can lead to water seeping in through your basement walls, which could result in ruined carpets, floorboards, and furniture.
Flooding and water damage is becoming a major concern for Canadian residents, who have subsequently filed an increasing number of insurance claims related to water damage in the last decade. In fact, the Canadian insurance industry forks out more than $1 billion in settlement for these claims annually.
When you don’t have a basement sump pump, interior basement waterproofing, a French drain system, or even a battery backup sump pump, the best way to protect your home from water damage could be investing in cracked foundation repair.
Repair Methods for a Cracked Foundation
Cracked foundation repair is best left to the professionals, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t know what they do to seal the cracks. Here are a couple of methods they use.
Epoxy
Epoxy is made from synthetic materials, and is manufactured into a strong adhesive for repairing cracks. Epoxy injections used to be much more common for treating foundation cracks, and are still used on many homes. The substance itself creates a solid bond with the concrete when injected into the cracks, essentially closing off any gaps in the foundation. This method has mostly been used for waterproofing basements.
Urethane
Urethane has grown in popularity because of its flexibility and durability. Though some waterproofing companies still use epoxy, it can be problematic with wet concrete and refuse to adhere. This means that homeowners would have to wait until the ground completely dries from a rainstorm before fixing any cracks. Urethane actually utilizes water to expand into fissures in the wall to permanently seal them off. It also moves with any foundation shifts without breaking or cracking.
You don’t necessarily have to know the ins and outs of foundation repairs to know that urethane will probably be your best bet.
So, talk to the waterproofing professionals near you about your options, and express your interest in urethane. This way, you will be a well-informed customer making a wise choice for your foundation.
