Dealing With Foundation Cracks
Foundation cracks can cause serious structural issues, which is why it is advisable to repair such damage before it spreads to other areas. However, this is not an easy task, and you might be required to hire a civil engineer to examine the damage and suggest solutions on how to solve such problems. Minor cracks are easy to repair, and you can choose to patch the cracks if you have the tools and the skills required to do this kind of job. However, before you start repairing the foundation cracks, you might want to identify the cause of the problem so that you find a concrete solution to your problem. Belville Foundation Repair Fountain Hills, can assist you with any crack repair.
Repairing Foundation Cracks
Various factors cause foundation cracks, but the primary cause of foundation cracks is water and poor weather conditions. That is because, during hot days, the concrete tends to expand and during the cold season the concrete shrinks. The cracks can be small during the first time they form, and if they are not repaired at an early stage, they can continue to expand.
How To Repair Small Foundation Cracks
- To repair small foundation cracks, the first thing you need to do is clean the affected areas and remove any loose chips using a cold chisel and a sledgehammer. However, it is advisable that you do this carefully not to remove any other material that is not loose.
- After cleaning the affected areas, prepare the concrete patch by mixing dry patch powder with a small amount of paste and latex instead of water. That is because latex is known to add adhesion and elasticity to the dry patch powder. The amount of latex and dry patch powder you use will depend on the size of cracks you are filling.
- Before you apply the patching product, use water to mist the crack to prevent moisture from forming inside the patch material. After that apply the solution to the cracks and use a trowel to remove excess paste and also to create a uniform finish. Moreover, use the same tool to make the surface smooth after applying the paste on the affected areas.
- The final step is to clean the tools and the buckets used to prevent the patching compound from drying on the tools used. That is why it is advisable that you do this immediately after the work is done. Use water to wash all the equipment used and dry them before keeping them away.
However, if you are dealing with large cracks, you can use other special products to repair such damage. Some of the best products you can use for such damage are polyurethane caulk and latex caulk, which contains silicone. These products are easy to apply, and all you need is a caulking gun for pumping any of these products in the cracks.
Foundation cracks are easy to repair when you have the skills and the tools required to do this kind of job. However, if you are not sure of the number of cracks your foundation has and how to repair the damage, you can consult Belville Foundation Repair today for solutions.