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non-slip, beautiful concrete finishes for pool decks

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non-slip, beautiful concrete finishes for pool decks

How To Repair Small Foundation Cracks

by Bessie Armstrong

Your foundation is what holds your home in place. It should be inspected often and taken care of, just like you would the rest of your home. Smaller cracks may not look too bad, but they can become larger cracks over time from changes in weather, which can be a big problem for you later down the road. These large cracks can cause water leaks and can be very costly to repair. See below for instructions on how foundation crack repair for your home.

Fine Cracks

Tools For The Job:

  • Masonry sealer
  • Roller
  • Epoxy
  • Putty knife

Instructions:

  1. Look for the fine cracks along your foundation walls. Fill all of them with the epoxy using your putty knife and following the directions on the package. Be sure to fill the cracks completely and allow the epoxy to dry completely.
  2. Sand down any excess epoxy after it has dried so it's smooth with the rest of your wall.
  3. Finally, use your masonry sealer and apply it to your entire foundation wall using your roller. Be sure to use a thick nap roller so it gets into all of the grooves of your walls.
  4. Allow the sealer to dry and apply a second coat if necessary.

Larger Cracks

Tools For The Job:

  • Chisel
  • Hammer
  • Wire brush
  • Shop vac
  • Mortar patch
  • Putty knife

Instructions:

  1. You'll need to chisel your larger cracks to get rid of the loose masonry. Take your chisel and hold it at an angle. Hit your chisel with your hammer and carefully make your crack a little wider.
  2. When you're finished, clear away the dust and debris with your wire brush, then vacuum up the debris with your shop vacuum. 
  3. Prepare your mortar patch by following the directions on the package. You will need a trowel and a putty knife, as well as some water.
  4. When you have the right consistency of your mortar patch, fill your foundation crack completely using your putty knife. Go over it several times if need be to ensure it is completely filled. Then allow your mortar patch to dry.
  5. Once dry, you can use your wire brush to sand it a little to blend it with the rest of your wall. This way it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb and isn't as noticeable.
  6. You can apply masonry sealer to your walls after repairing your larger cracks as well, just as you did above in the fine crack instructions. This will give you a little extra protection.

If your foundation cracks are too large to fill, you may already have a foundation issue and should call a professional to take a look at the damage. Repairing your foundation walls is very important in keeping your home protected from water damage. After all, your home is only as strong as it's foundation. 

 

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