Wall Cracks: When & Why They Need Repairing
When debating whether or not you should call an expert to repair your wall crack, make sure you look for few key indicators that show the severity.
First, check the size of the crack. If tiny or hairline, it is most likely a shrinkage crack that occurs normally when the concrete in your foundation cures. However, if the wall crack is large and continues to grow over time, this could be a sign of a major structural issue.
Horizontal cracks can be more dangerous than vertical cracks because they indicate that your foundation walls are facing outside pressure. However, for any crack that is over 1/8 inch wide, you should always consult a professional.
If you do not repair a wall crack, your home could face serious consequences. Water could seep into your home, along with insects and small rodents. At worst, the foundation could crumble and cause your home to collapse.
Common Types of Wall Crack Repair
Wall cracks can be repaired either through the exterior foundation or inside the basement.
- Exterior Wall Crack Repair: This foundation wall crack repair takes place outside of your home through a variety of products.
- Interior Wall Crack Repair: This crack repair is best suited to basements that are unfinished providing interior access to the crack. If your basement is finished and the crack is covered by drywall or paneling, removal or exterior crack repair is usually necessary.
Wall Crack Repair Process
Basement Wall Crack Repair Process
Intech Anchoring’s certified installer will access the foundation through your basement and use a series of injections to repair the crack. We provide injections of epoxy or urethane, which can prevent further deterioration of the concrete and restores structural soundness. In addition, carbon fiber can be installed in addition to crack injections to further reinforce your wall.
Epoxy injections from Intech Anchoring both seal the crack and weld the foundation of your home. The seal created by epoxy injections will keep moisture from penetrating the interior your home and repair the existing damage. Epoxy is beneficial because it is very flexible, remains insensitive to moisture, will not shrink over time, adheres to a variety of foundation materials (metal, concrete, and wood), and penetrates the wall deeply. Furthermore, epoxy injections are minimally invasive and very economical.
Urethane injections, which are also referred to as grout or polyurethane, are the most common method for wall crack repair. They provide flexibility in your foundation and are very versatile, enabling use in many applications. Urethane injections keep moisture out of your basement and can even be applied to surfaces that are damp. This method is also minimally invasive and very economical.
Finally, an Intech Anchoring Certified Installer may utilize our high strength Carbon Fiber System in your basement in addition to providing injections. Carbon Fiber can prevent moisture and further structural damage. In addition, Carbon Fiber provides significant structural reinforcement and is minimally invasive to install because no heavy machinery is required.
Exterior Foundation Wall Crack Repair Process
The same process used on the interior of your basement can be used to repair the exterior foundation of your home. Depending on the location of the crack, the installation may require a small hole to be excavated in order to repair the wall from the outside. Urethane injections can be used outdoors because they come in three levels of viscosity for use on any surface in any environment.
Why Choose Intech Anchoring Products?
Intech Anchoring has over 20 years of experience in providing solutions for wall crack repair. We use cutting edge technology to advance our repair techniques, staffing a full team of engineers and utilizing the top software in the industry.
Intech Anchoring offers competitive prices for our wall crack repair products. To get a quote for crack repair installation from a certified dealer or to buy product direct, call us at 800-223-7015 or fill out our contact form.
