The Great Big World of ConcreteThe Great Big World of Concrete


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The Great Big World of Concrete

Think about how many things in the built environment are made from concrete. Even just in your home, you may have a concrete foundation or concrete basement walls. Maybe you have a concrete pad or patio out back, and you probably have a concrete sidewalk leading to and past your home. Then, there's your greater community. There are likely concrete barriers to restrict where people park. Large, concrete buildings serve as schools, court buildings, and other community structures. The list goes on, but the point is, concrete contractors create all sorts of different structures. We're excited to write articles about them here.

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How Epoxy Crack Repair Can Save Your Basement Walls

Finding cracks in the walls of your basement is every homeowner's worst nightmare, but cracked basement walls aren't always a sign of impending doom. These cracks can be caused by a number of underlying issues, from serious subsidence to more manageable issues, such as problems with soil drainage or nearby tree roots.

In many cases, cracked basement walls can be repaired using epoxy injection technology. Rapid, affordable epoxy injections can seal and strengthen a cracked basement wall, preventing water leaks and loss of structural stability. 

How Does Epoxy Crack Repair Work?

The epoxy used to repair cracks in concrete is a liquid polymer resin, which is injected deep into a crack using a device resembling an oversized syringe.  Epoxy hardens slowly, allowing the liquid epoxy to flow into every small crevice within the cracked concrete. As it hardens, it bonds chemically with the surrounding concrete, creating a solid seal that is waterproof, durable, and incredibly strong.

When properly applied, concrete repair epoxy actually has higher compressive and bonding strength than the surrounding concrete. If your cracked basement walls are properly repaired using the right kind of epoxy, the repaired wall may actually be stronger than it was before. The watertight seal will also prevent any moisture from leaking into your basement through the crack, preventing problems with damp and mold.

When Can Epoxy Crack Repair Be Used?

Because crack repair epoxy provides structural strength as well as waterproof sealing, it can be used to repair structural cracks caused by subsidence or other structural issues. This makes it more versatile than cheaper, polyurethane crack sealing technology. 

However, there are some instances where epoxy crack repair cannot be used. It cannot be used to repair cracks that are currently leaking, as the moisture will prevent the epoxy from drying. It is also unsuitable for cracks caused by ongoing movement in the soil around your basement.

Without the right skills and know-how, it is practically impossible to figure out whether the crack or cracks in your basement wall can be effectively repaired. For this reason, you should always call in a professional concrete crack repair service to inspect the crack before proceeding with repairs. 

Can You Use Crack Repair Epoxy Yourself?

You may have spotted epoxy crack repair kits for sale online and in your local hardware store. These DIY kits can be used to effectively seal small hairline cracks or repair superficial damage in your basement walls. However, if your basement has any significant cracks, DIY crack repair may not be the best approach.

Because crack repair epoxy takes several hours to dry, it can flow out of the crack and into the soil surrounding your basement if it is not carefully applied. Epoxy resin is also available in a variety of formulations, which are intended for use with different types of concrete cracks. Picking the right epoxy for your needs can be very challenging. 

Calling in a professional service that repairs concrete cracks using epoxy injection is more expensive, but it is always the safest option. These services can accurately determine what has caused the cracks in your basement walls, choose the right type of epoxy to repair them, and inject the epoxy properly to ensure the resulting seal is of the highest quality. 

For more information, contact a local company, like Affordable Foundation Repair.