Water is the major cause of foundation problems

It doesn’t matter if the foundation is made of poured concrete, cinder block concrete, or stone, constant water seepage will weaken and create cracks in the foundation if left unattended.

Usually cracks that are caused by water seepage are most often seen in the corners of the foundation walls, or at the joints where bricks, stones, or concrete slabs are joined. When ground water has enough pressure that it seeps through the foundation, it creates cracks. Over time, these tiny hairline cracks will widen.

Generally, urethane injection and the drainage tile repair are the two methods used in repairing foundation leaks. Urethane injection is a moderately simple process where the entire crack is filled with an epoxy resin. This process is relatively inexpensive, costing only a few hundred dollars. Another benefit with this process is the amount of time needed to complete the entire repair. Instead of several days or weeks, the process only requires a couple of hours. However, the process of urethane injections does have several drawbacks. First, it can only be applied to small cracks and secondly, with this process there is the threat of the crack reopening.

The next process is the drainage tile repair, which is a more lengthy process. With this process, floor tiles that are around the damaged have to be pulled up and a drain tile fitted and inserted. The drain tile is then connected to a sump pump or other system to remove the water. Once the water has been removed, the floor tiles can be replaced. This process requires several days to complete and can costs thousands of dollars. The major advantage with this process is that it is a more permanent solution than urethane injections, and the main disadvantage is that the sump pump can malfunction.

For small crack urethane injections is a cost efficient method for foundation repair. However, if the foundation crack is large, then it is best to repair the foundation using a drainage tile. For large leaks caused by drainage problems, may require a more extensive method of repair. For such problems a French drain may be used, which is a trench dug around the foundation then filled with gravel, rock or a perforated pipe that redirects the surface and ground water away from the foundation, preventing water leakage.

The cost of repairing foundation leaks can be expensive, and a time-consuming process. However, such problems cannot be ignored.

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