Repairing a foundation wall can be a serious matter if the strength of a wall is broken by frost, excessive water pressure, physical damage or other external forces. The type of foundation also dictates how to approach the repair. Walls of masonry may require excavation around the perimeter of the basement wall in order to wait for it to be viewed. If the wall is connected, it may need to be removed and replaced with new blocks of brickwork. It is not easy and best to leave a professional.
Excavation around the basement is a complex business that does not have to interrupt sewer or gas lines and avoid any power lines that have been buried or overhead. Fraud, lighting, sidewalks and access roads can be removed to do this work. As I said, hard work. However, once the base is exposed, a thorough examination is required to determine not only what is damaged, but why. Poor methods of filling the back of the foundation might have made the wall bow.
Running the machine too close to the wall, using poor clay soils that hold water, placing large boulders on the wall that can move and press against the wall, are the causes of foundation failure. As soon as the cause of the failure is corrected, repair can begin.
The main requirements are replacement of CMU, proper sizing and waterproofing. New drainage drains and clean gravel are also recommended, and using selected soil to refill is just good practice. Compaction of soil layers during its placement helps to ensure a stable soil that will not move and exert pressure on new walls. Remember, when you remove the foundation wall, it requires the completion of the house. If you are not familiar with what is required, contact a specialist to do this work.
Renovating a concrete wall is somewhat different from a CMU wall. Concrete walls rarely fail, but if they do and the structure is preserved, complete removal of the damaged wall and its bedding may be required. This is definitely not a homeowner project. Heavy machinery for lifting and removing concrete, heavy jacks and other tools for breaking or cutting concrete is also part of the job. Concrete foundation forms are available for rent, but again, as a rule, professionals work. If you do not have first-hand knowledge and other people who help to process panels of forms, install lumber, etc. Let a professional do this work. Pouring concrete foundation walls is not one woman (or woman). It takes a lot of work.
Minor cracking of the foundation can be easily handled by home do-it-yourselfer with a little care.
Use a four-inch masonry grinder (always wear reliable safety glasses, earbuds and a dust mask when doing this work) cut or enlarge the cracks to a minimum thickness of the blade. Cut at least one inch deep into the concrete, taking care not to damage the rebar inside the wall. Ideally, if you can make a cut to form a triangular hole with a base or the widest part of the triangle inside the wall, this will help keep the solution in the crack during drying.
If the cracks are large enough, mix a batch of new solution and add a product called “milk” by profession, which in fact is only a polymer additive to make the solution more durable and flexible. Remove cracks to remove all excess dust before repairing. Using a brush or spray bottle, rinse the crack area with plain tap water. Ensuring the moisture of the concrete will help prevent all water from pouring into the new solution too quickly. Drying the mortar too quickly may result in your repair failing or subsiding from the recently repaired area, making your work useless.
If the cracks are very thin, the use of a ready-made polymer sealant for hemp may be fine. Apply a lot of pressure to the gun to make sure that the caulk reaches the bottom of the crack or cut. Keep it neat. Today, many sealing products have a concrete color and over time, when they are dry, will almost disappear. Boiler products in general do not require pre-wetting of the joint, but always follow the instructions of the tube.
Always, always use proper eye and ear protection, as well as the use of dust masks. Using gloves when handling reinforcement, concrete, or other coarse materials will help save some hurt joints and cuts.
Pete
Your friendly building inspector
http://www.Wagsys.com
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