Most homeowners will experience cracks in their foundation, especially if they live in an area with unstable soil or harsh weather. While minor foundation damage can be repaired on your own, larger cracks might require professional help. This DIY foundation crack repair guide will show you the equipment, supplies, and procedures needed to restore stability to your home’s foundation if you have minor issues with it.
Why Repair Foundation Cracks?
Ignoring foundation cracks or breaches may result in structural problems, including mold growth, water leaks, and instability. Even small holes can let moisture seep through your basement or crawl space. This creates damp conditions and promotes mold growth. It is worth fixing these cracks now rather than waiting for more severe damage.
Use the following steps to fix minor, non-structural cracks yourself. For large, active cracks or structural problems with your foundation (e.g., shifting or leaning), you should consult a specialist.
All The Tools And Materials You’ll Need
Before starting the repair, ensure you have the following items:
- Concrete crack filler or repair caulk: These products are designed specifically for sealing foundation cracks.
- Caulking or Putty Gun: for applying filler.
- Wire brush: Clean the cracks before you fill them.
- Vacuum or Broom: Remove dust and debris.
- Optional hydraulic cement: For larger cracks or when you need to fill significant gaps.
- Bucket & water: This is used to clean up any mess.
DIY Foundation Crack Repair Guide
1. Inspecting The Cracks
Before you start any repairs, inspect the cracks in your foundation. If the cracks appear to be small and hairline, they may not be structural, but larger cracks that are more extensive could be. If your cracks appear to be wide or to have shifted in any way, you should consult a professional. However, if the cracks are only minor, vertical, or flat, you may be able to fix them yourself.
2. Repair The Cracks
Start by thoroughly cleaning around the cracks. Use a scrubbing brush on the inside of the crack to remove dirt, debris, or loose concrete. The surface must be clean for the filler adhesive to work. After cleaning the surface, use a broom or vacuum to remove any debris or dust.
3. Prepare The Filler
For small foundation cracks, you will use crack filler or concrete repair caulk. If the cracks appear to be larger, hydrocement is recommended. For the product you are using, please adhere to the instructions on the packaging. Use a caulking can to apply caulk. Pour hydraulic cement and patching compound, following the manufacturer’s instructions to mix the material.
4. Filler
Use crack-filler or sealant on cracks under 1/4 inch. Apply a steady and continuous bead, pressing the filler firmly in the crack to ensure a tight seal. Smooth up your filler using a putty knife or similar instrument. Be sure that it’s even with the surrounding surface. If you are using hydraulic or patching cement, use the same application method. Smooth the compound evenly until it fills the crack.
5. Smoothing And Shaping The Surface
Once the cracks are filled, use your putty knives to smooth the surface and blend in the repair. When you use hydraulic cement, ensure that the top surface is smooth while the cement remains wet.
6. Allow Repair to Cure
As per the manufacturer’s instructions, allow the repair to cure between 24 and 48 hours. During the time it takes for the filler material to bond to the surface and harden, you should not disturb the region. For larger cracks, you may need more time to cure the filler before continuing.
7. Inspect And Reapply
After the initial cure period, examine the repair. If you still see the crack, or if the filler is shrinking and appears to be eroding from the surface, a second coat may be necessary. Repeat the smoothing and application until the crack is filled.
8. Seal The Repair
If you want to add a second layer of protection against water, you can seal your repaired concrete with a waterproofing product. This step will be especially helpful in areas with high humidity or rainfall.
Conclusion
Fixing small foundation cracks can be a cost-effective and straightforward solution to addressing minor problems before they worsen. Following this guide to repair foundation cracks can help ensure your home’s foundation will remain strong and steady for years.
You can find additional information on the repair of foundation cracks by visiting websites that offer video blogs and forums. To ensure your home is safe and stable, it is essential to seek professional help if the cracks in your foundation are larger.
