Repairing Basement Wall Cracks

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About Wall Cracks Introduction

Foundation cracks are common and normal in poured concrete walls.  Cracks in concrete block walls are usually along the mortar.  Since block walls are weaker than poured walls, these types of cracks are serious!

If not repaired, cracks will lead to other types of damages.  Basement walls are the foundation on which your home rests.  Cracks, bowed walls, or crumbling walls must be repaired.

Cracks in a basement wall happen for a variety of reasons. A shifting foundation or mistakes in mixing or pouring the concrete is a common cause. It's essential that one discovers the cause of the cracked wall or defect to be sure the repair will last.

If a basement wall crack is horizontal or appears to run in line with a crack in the floor, then there may be a deeper structural issue. In this instance, SKV Construction will help provide an evaluation for resolving the structural issue. This type of issue is much, much more serious and should not be a DIY repair (Do It Yourself).

Small Concrete Crack vs. Large Crack in Basement Walls

Repair of Basement Wall Cracks

Depending on the nature of the crack, SKV Construction uses different techniques to stabilize and secure the crack. A few steps may include:

  • removing the loose concrete by wire brushing
  • removing concrete dust
  • sealing the cracks with durable epoxy sealer
  • sealing the crack using carbon fiber grid repair
  • finish priming and/or painting the wall

Cracks Repaired Using Carbon Fiber

Does Your Basement Need Crack Repair?  We Can Help!

    When Is It Essential To Repair Basement Wall Cracks?

    Essential repair is dictated by these situations:

    • when cracks are horizontal
    • when getting your home appraised
    • when selling your home
    • when cracks are leaking or have leaked
    • when cracks are wide (1/2")
    • when you have persistent and repeated mold growth threatening health of the occupants
    • when finishing a new room or remodeling

    View our crack repair projects here. Foundation Crack Repair, Frozen Concrete Repair, Tilted Wall Stabilized

    Contact SKV Construction today to fix your basement wall cracks.

    Removing Basement Mold

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    Basement Mold Removal

    Basement mold removal is necessary.  Basements are usually not heated, except for the furnace. Therefore, potential for moisture in a basement is great.  View our post on basement condensation.  Moisture is a breeding grounds for the growth of mold and mildew.  

    Mold destroys the contents of a basement. Wood, tiles, wallpaper, carpet, insulation, and the contents stored in the basement are affected. Control the level of moisture and humidity in your basement and prevent the growth of mold.  So, what must be done to eliminate mold growth?

    Lack of a basement waterproofing system is the biggest contributing factor for basement mold growth. Once mold spores begin growing, they continue to grow until the source of the moisture is eliminated.  Most of all, basement mold growth is prevented by having moisture control products in place.

    Mold removal is vital for keeping any basement safe for your family.  In conclusion, know the steps needed to eliminate mold.

    Severe Damage to Wall From Basement Mold

    Steps To Removing Basement Mold

    SKV Construction offers assistance in identifying the source of the mold. We provide direction for basement mold removal.  Contact Us for a no obligation proposal.

    In some cases the homeowner wishes to remove the mold.  Hence, it is incumbent upon the homeowner to know the safety issues involved.  The homeowner must have the proper equipment, and use a safe mold removal product.  

    Listed below are the basic steps for removing mold from your basement.  Make any concrete repairs, foundation crack repairs, and water leakage repairs before proceeding with mold removal.

    • Identify the mold. Mold is usually black, white, and has blueish patches.
    • Identify and prepare areas where mold exists.
    • Scrub the mold with a safe mold removal product following the manufacturer's instructions.  Do not use bleach.
    • Cleanup, rinse, and repeat the scrubbing until all mold is removed.
    • Dry the areas scrubbed for at least 3 days .  The dry time is dependent on the degree of moisture, temperature, and humidity in your basement.
    • Install a dehumidifier, fan, or circulate air from the furnace fan to help dry out the area.
    • Seal the areas scrubbed with a stain blocking primer.
    • Paint or finish as desired.

    Dealing With Leaking Basement Walls

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    Why Have A Dry Finished Basement?

    A finished basement, clean basement will make your home more appealing as an investment.  A dry basement will be free of any leaking basement walls.  You will enjoy your home more, knowing that it is healthy and safe.

    If you have leaking basement walls, your home's value will decrease and that space is both unsafe and wasted space for you and your family.  SKV Construction can help you eliminate the source of moisture problems, and get your home safe and dry.

    3 Common Issues That Cause Leaky Basement Walls:

    1. Moisture and Wall Cracks
    2. Leaky Pipes
    3. Wall-Floor Joint Wetness

    Leaking Basement Wall Crack Repaired

    Issue #1:  Moisture and Wall Cracks

    High humidity and moisture will lead to a musty, bad smell. The odor is due to the direct result of mold growth.  To get rid of the mold growth, you will need to install a properly sized dehumidifier.  SKV Construction will help you install a product that will perform effectively.

    Issue #2:  Leaky Pipes

    Plumbing pipes in a basement often have water dripping off of them, and contribute to excess moisture in the basement.  This condensation is best eliminated by having them insulated.

    Overhead Plumbing In Basement; Can Be Source Of Moisture

    Issue #3:  Wall-Floor Joint Wetness

    Where the basement wall meets the basement floor is often a source of moisture.  Heavy rainstorms, improper slope of the landscape, poorly working gutters, and inefficient sump pump sytems may all be contributing to the moisture buildup.  See our article Tips to Prevent a Flooded Basement.  SKV Construction can inspect your home, and determine what needs to be corrected.  Contact them today!

    Interlocking Tiles For Concrete Floors

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    Decorative Interlocking Tiles For Residential and Commercial Use

    If you are a homeowner consider interlocking floor tiles for your next garage floor. Or if you are a business owner, interlocking tiles are a great solution for your factory floor.

    Interlocking floor tiles are a cost effective alternative to replacing your entire floor. Or to investing in major floor renovation. Made from 100% recycled materials, these tiles are easy to maintain and easy to clean.

    Before installing interlocking tiles, you should:

    • clean the floor to reveal any cracks or flaws
    • replace any defective concrete
    • make necessary structural repairs to the floor
    • seal major cracks
    • seal the concrete before interlocking tile installation
    • maintain a safe working surface dictated by your floor traffic

    You might wonder why sealing the concrete is recommended.  If you live in a northern climate, your garage floor will likely see road salts and deicing fluids from the highways.  Therefore, a good concrete sealer will protect your floor from road salts and will provide a repellent for other liquids.   In addition, it is great insurance against an oil spill.

    If you live in a southern climate where there is no salting, you could skip the concrete sealant.  

    Don't ignore the beauty, variety, and functionality interlocking tiles offer. They are ideal replacements for old messy concrete floors.  Most of all, they are easy to install and maintain.

    Types of Interlocking Tiles

    Interlocking floor tiles come in a wide variety of colors, patterns, and applications. Here are a few.

    Interlocking Floor Tiles for Resurfacing Concrete Garage Floors and Other Industrial Applications

    Concrete Garage Floor with Interlocking Floor Tiles

    Concrete Factory Floor Using Interlocking Tiles
    Because of the many colors and types, common applications for interlocking floor tiles in commercial floor resurfacing are unlimited. Use these tiles in gyms, warehouses, factories, stores, showrooms, schools, auto garages, mud rooms, and more.

    Finally, interlocking tiles are made of plastic.  Because they are hollow underneath, walking on them there may be clicking sound.  Laying down synthetic landscape mesh on top of the concrete will dull the noise, and therefore remedy that situation.  

    See a completed project by SKV Construction using Interlocking Tiles on a Garage Floor.

    Learn more about how you could be using interlocking floor tiles. Contact Us for a no obligation proposal.

    Photo Source and Credit to Elite Xpressions.

    Stan Vorgias
    Owner SKV Construction