If you have a crack in a basement wall, approximately 7 feet in diameter, what can happen if you leave it unattended? Is it dangerous? If it is, what are the solutions to fixing them and having the satisfaction that you won't have to deal with the problem for a few good years?
2006-10-29 08:34:14 · 8 answers · asked by Stupid Flanders 4 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
My mistake. By diameter, I mean length; sorry. By the way, I have heard of the solution of digging a trench around your house and filling it with tar, but obviously, that's something I'm not willing to do, both financially, and time-wise). By the way, the crack goes mostly vertically and it's toward the center of the wall (the same space above and below the crack). The walls are made of poured concrete.
2006-10-29 08:54:15 · update #1
I actually just bought the house, but it was built in 1979, and I don't know much about the house. I called an inspector before buying the house and he did not say one thing about the cracks being a problem at all. I was actually a bit alarmed by a friend who told me that this could be a problem.
2006-10-29 08:55:55 · update #2
There doesn't seem to be too much water coming in, it's just a little humid/wet around the crack, but hardly noticeable.
2006-10-29 08:57:21 · update #3
It depends. Is it from settlement or is it a structural defect. If it's a structural defect it should be repaired. Do you have water coming in? If so then you need to repair it and divert the water to another area of your yard - preferably away from the house. If it's just a crack and nothing serious, you can leave it alone.
PS. If you do get it repaired most of those companies have some kind of dry basement guarantee so make sure you find one that does.
2006-10-29 08:49:37 · answer #1 · answered by porkchop 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most homeowners have encountered the frustrating problem of cracks in basement walls and stubborn water leaks after a heavy rain.
They usually try to fix the crack with caulk. But this is only a superficial repair. Water will still fill the crack on the inside and cause efflorescence, which will push off the caulk. In a year or two, the caulk will peel.
Disappointed, the homeowner will pull off the caulk, chisel out the crack in an inverted V-groove and fill it with hydraulic cement. But hydraulic cement does not bond well to concrete and is very rigid, while the concrete continuously moves, shrinks and expands. Efflorescence will start coming up around the rigid plug, followed by drops of water. After a couple years, the cement plug will get loose and water will start seeping around it.
A better repair method would be to keep the rainwater out of the crack. But excavating and repairing the foundation crack on the exterior may cost thousands of dollars and may not be permanent either.
2006-10-29 08:43:03 · answer #2 · answered by clubsandra 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I take it you meant 7 feet long... diameter is the distance across a round object. Anyway,, is it a poured foundation or a block foundation,,, poured can hang in there longer then block,, either way, i would have it taken care of right away. why wait till it worsens or the wall collapses. it is cracking for a reason,, let a pro tell you why. Hope this helps.. good luck, Is water collecting on the side of the house that the crack is on??? If so,, try to divert it or make it run off by building up that side with dirt.
2006-10-29 08:45:16 · answer #3 · answered by Bob G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
is the crack above grade, below grade, or both?
how wide is the crack?
i have lived in houses with them and never had a problem. one of them, you could actually see the outside, as it was above grade.
i would keep water and especially ice away from the area, providing proper drainage and also prevent ice formation or frost heave.
especially if it a low lying area. if the grade does not does not decrease away from house, it should.
i would use a long lasting sealant applied in a pressurized manner.
if it is a structual problem and it is getting noticably worse, you should have it looked at by an engineer. there might be something more seriously wrong that needs attention early.
steel plates could be anchored / installed to the walls that would assist in the structure.
2006-11-04 19:25:53 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it starts to leak you could have big problems. Is the wall block or poured concrete. and how high on the wall is the crack
2006-10-29 08:45:19 · answer #5 · answered by norsmen 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can mortor w/ cement (fill w/ cement) if you leave it it will keep on cracking, it could cause your house to get colder especially during the winter. Eventually water damage or other things from outside. Good Luck!!!
2006-10-29 08:44:43 · answer #6 · answered by valleygirl1828 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
only if it grows or the walls begin to bow out. Then you are seriously pfuked. so, keep an eye on it.
2006-10-29 08:35:32 · answer #7 · answered by anonymous 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
means house is settling and more will follow... worry about rain, insects, and peeeping neighbors
2006-10-29 11:35:06 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋