Fixing Basement Cracks
Basement Crack Injections

The type of basement leaks that can be fixed with basement crack injections are those that stem from a crack in the basement wall. It is a process that allows homeowners to repair cracks without having to hire a contractor. Crack injections are available in easy to use kits that come along with detailed description of how to fix a crack in the wall.

Basement crack infections are typically polyurethane grout gel that can be injected into the crack. It is an easy to apply and affordable solution for repairing small cracks to solve problems of water seeping from outside. Once inserted properly, basement crack injections provide effective waterproofing for years to come. Polyurethane injections are ideal for resolving water seepage issues caused by minor cracks in the basement. If the crack has widened to more than 1/8th of an inch in diameter, you need professional help.

Basement crack injections deliver the polyurethane foam/gel deep into the crack, the reason why they are considered to be a better and more long lasting solution than using hydraulic cement. Using polyurethane injections is a perfect waterproofing solution for a variety of reasons:

- It prevents water to pass or diffuse through even when exposed to never-ceasing seepage.

- It does not react chemically the way hydraulic cement and concrete surfaces do.

- The injector system bypasses the messy procedure of mixing cement and using tools like chisel and trowel that you may not have worked with before.

The process of waterproofing the crack is simple and does not require anything other than the injection kit and things that are normally found in every home. However, while buying a basement crack injection it is recommended that you buy a low-pressure repair kit because you high pressure kits are used by professionals for extensive repairing.

You need to ensure that the crack is dry. If there is some moisture on the wall, use a hair dryer. Clean the area with a wire brush and remove dust and debris using a vacuum cleaner. Keep injecting till you find that the material is oozing out of the crack. The kit comes with a surface sealer to be used before and after injecting polyurethane to ensure that it remains in place. Scrape of the sealer with a utility knife if it looks awkward on the surface.

For long lasting protection from the leak it is advisable that you buy a basement crack injection kit that comes with an epoxy paste. The epoxy paste insulates the crack and allows polyurethane to penetrate into even small crevices. Once the polyurethane sets properly (it takes up to 24 hours) water will not be able to leak into the basement.

It is common for minor cracks to appear on basement walls in homes that are more than two years old. The major cause is shrinkage as the entire structure starts drying up. Sometimes the concrete foundations crack due to setting. It is wise to take timely action and repair with crack injections because over time cracks are bound to widen and cause serious problems.