Two types of concrete foundations

There are two types of concrete foundations, poured concrete and those made of concrete block.

For years, builders used concrete blocks because of their visual appeal and strength however, over time there may be degradation of concrete. For this reason, poured concrete has become the common practice for laying foundations.

Water leakage is the prime cause of cracks in concrete foundation, and such cracks are usually thin and hairline. However, if left then over time they can widen, requiring a more involved process to repair them. Before you start any repair it is important to discover the source of the problem and the point from which the leakage originates.

There are other reasons why concrete foundations may crumble including the drying out of the surrounding soil in summer. Tree roots also create cracks in foundations as their large roots push through the soil. Stone foundations can also crack and crumble due to vibration that can be caused from heavy vehicles running aboveground, and even sonic vibrations created from aircraft. Such causes make the soil shift and hence the foundation is left unsupported. Though this movement is gradual, overtime it will cause cracks to occur. Usually the cracks will be large and run across the entire length of the foundation. Whatever be the reason, repairs must be done as soon as possible.

Repair small cracks caused by moisture, the repair is relatively simple and can be accomplished by most homeowners. First, the cracks will need to be cleaned, using a wire brush; some have used a jet of water to remove all loose concrete particles that may be within the crack. Allow the crack to dry completely, and then fill with a concrete caulk. For very large cracks, you will need to use patching materials specifically made for concrete. Generally, you apply the wet patching material, which are a limestone based that expands as it dries, filling up the crack completely. Once the match has completely dried, approximately 2 days, you finish by applying a waterproof sealant to the repaired crack.

However, if the crack is menacing, then you will have to contract a contractor who specialized in foundation repairs. In poured foundations, some cracks are the cause of rods rusting and snapping on the inside of the foundation. If ignored, these cracks can become critical requiring extremely costly repairs.

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