Most homes have been reported to have leaking basement walls. However, a leaking basement poses a significant risk to a house and is always a great threat to the safety of those living there. It doesn’t come as a surprise for a home’s basement to begin leaking since there are always several factors behind that. Cracks are usually bound to happen on all sorts of walls after construction. Most cracks ranging in size from 1/8″ will always show up, and there is no need to panic over that. Unfortunately, these cracks eventually allow for the entry of water and other soil gasses into the basement, raising concerns.

This article perfectly guides how to salvage your basement from leaks by waterproofing Toronto. 

Reasons behind basement wall cracks

Basement cracks are a common menace to most homes. The cracks forming on the basement wall vary in size, which determines the nature of damage your basement is undergoing. To enlighten you on the different types of cracks in the basement wall, we’ve sampled some common cracks on basement walls. Read on!

Vertical cracks

These cracks run from the top to the bottom of the basement wall. Shrinking materials, wall movement, and tipping the walls usually cause them. 

Foundation floor cracks

The foundation floor cracks form due to cement shrinkage and always pose no considerable threat to the basement; however, if the crack sizes are more than 3/4″, that calls for immediate concerns.

Diagonal cracks

Diagonal cracks run from the top of the basement wall to the bottom diagonally. They are caused by pressure from surrounding soil, shrinking concrete, and foundation settling. 

Horizontal cracks

These are cracks running in a parallel manner. These cracks usually appear once the soil around the wall begins to build up pressure. Besides, they are the most porous cracks that allow water entry into the basement.

Solutions for a leaking basement wall

Leaking basement wall cracks pose a massive threat to the well-being of your basement area and the entire house structure. Therefore, adequate and effective measures must be applied to eliminate the cracks that might turn out catastrophic. Besides, leaving the cracks unattended is also a safety threat to the inhabitants of the particular house since accidents are prone to occur. 

Therefore, finding a perfect solution to fix the basement walls’ cracks is inevitable and needs to be acted upon quickly. On top of that, a leaky basement that gets dumped creates a perfect condition for mold growth. A mold removal Scarborough professionals will also need to come in handy.

Check out some of the most recommended ways to handle leaking cracks on your basement walls.

Urethane and Polyurethane injection

Urethane and Polyurethane injection is the application of a sealant that fills up the cracks in the damaged basement walls. The sealant works by finding its way through the cracks and expanding simultaneously. That leads to the formation of a dense and non-porous seal that covers all the spaces formed by the cracks. Most waterproofing companies prefer this method since it can be applied on a wet surface and still form a concrete shield against water leaks.

Epoxy injection

The epoxy injection works similarly to the Urethane injection. The method involves the injection of a special resin through the cracks that fill and harden, forming a watertight sealant. This method is effective in preventing leaks on your basement walls and provides extra strength and bonding on the walls. The resin is injected through the wall cracks using a special pressure pump and hardens instantly. Unlike the urethane injection, this Mississauga crack repair method can only be applied to basement cracks that are not wet.

Hydraulic cement

This is one of the quickest and most effective you can apply to seal off your walls from leaks. Hydraulic cement is applied to the cracks on the basement walls and takes around 3 to 5 minutes before healing. Hydraulic cement blocks any leaks instantly with zero future complications. For the best results, homeowners are advised to apply this special cement on both sides of the basement walls.

When is the perfect time for a professional

Fixing basement repair walls by yourself will depend on the extent of the cracks and leakage. Small cracks can be easily fixed by yourself. However, it’s the perfect time to make that call once you find the cracks are enormous, wet, and mushy. A basement waterproofing Toronto professional will help you sort and avoid those cracks. 

Final words

Living in a house with a leaky basement is always a red light that needs to be acted upon with immediate effect. Prolonged leaks will eventually end up causing devastating damage to your basement and foundation, creating safety concerns. Besides, severe damages may happen that might be costly to repair. 

If your basement cracks are enormous enough to fit a coin, then action needs to be quick. Get in touch with a professional waterproofer and secure your basement. In that case, DryShield is the perfect basement waterproofing service here in Canada. Do not hesitate to reach us on our site at https://www.dryshield.ca/ or call 1-800-277-5411.