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Basement Waterproofing Division |
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Call Bob Now at 586 703 0112 |
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We use custom waterproofing techniques and materials by: Basement Technologies of Boston |
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Hydraulic Cement |
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I have been reading a lot on the web lately saying that the best way to patch cracks in poured concrete basement walls is to smear on or chip out the crack and install in the crack hydraulic cement. This is totally wrong. |
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The main reason concrete walls crack is the fact that as concrete ages and dries, it shrinks. As concrete shrinks in a wall situation it tends to look for a weak spot to crack. This is usually next to a window cut out or a beam pocket or even a string of rod holes if you have the flat kind of rod that uses several in a row. |
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The key word in hydraulic cement is CEMENT. Just like regular cement in concrete it shrinks as it ages. While this substance may work for a year or two, eventually it will shrink and form a new crack (or seam) to let water into the basement. I admit this is an inexpensive and easy fix but if you put in a finished basement in front of this repair you may be removing the finished basement every few years to stop leaks. |
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At Oakbridge Construction Waterproofing Division we like to patch cracks with something that goes in under compression. We use Hydrofobic Foam. Hydrofobic means it reacts to the presents of moisture. We actually squirt water into the crack just before injection to activate the foam. This foam expands under great pressure forming a seamless barrier to stop water. This hydrofobic foam keeps expanding for a time under great pressure and it doesn’t shrink and crack in the future. |
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OK, here is an insider company secret. When someone , usually a homeowner or plumber, tries to repair a crack with hydraulic cement and it leaks all we see is a fragmented and filled crack that we can’t inject with foam. Foam requires a fairly clear path to be injected into. In this case we have to do a lot of extra work to stop the water and extra work translates into extra money. So save money by calling a pro first. Most of our work is with already fixed cracks. |
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The following picture is an example of what I have been talking about. This crack was fixed with a layer of hydraulic cement. Then a layer of white stuff that looked like vinyl then another coat of hydraulic cement. With all that work the crack still leaked. Along with a couple of leaking rod holes there was 1/2 inch of water on the floor. We have ways of getting rid of the water for good. Forget that hydraulic cement. Call us NOW 586 703 0112. |
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