Fixing Cracked Concrete Block Wall
Need some advice from you foundation guys. This is out of my area.In the pic, you can see a stair step crack going in the mortar from the top left to bottom right. I know these types of cracks aren’t necessarily anything to be alarmed about, but I’m a little more concerned about the small crack you can see in one the blocks.
That’s that only block that has a crack.The house was built in 1987. I think these have developed in the last year or so.Any suggestions? Let it go for now? Any fixes that should be done? Any specific things or developments to look for in the future?Thanks! Thanks, Kurt.Unfortunately I don’t know exactly what is on the outside. It’s probably not great.The excavatiion was a little too deep, and the block walls didn’t end up really being high enough.
Fixing Cracked Concrete Block Wall Anchors
There wasn’t much slope, and the height didn’t allow much re-grading to be done before reaching the bottom of the siding. Over the years, I’ve been able to take care of most everything with French drains, and running downspout extensions underground and then to grade away from the house.Anyway, the walls were subjected to water to water on a fair share of occasions.
It was mostly in the corners where the downspouts are. In what were the worst areas for water, the walls look fine, including the mortar joints.
There’s no coating on the inside of the basement. I suppose you could say it was mostly a bare block, water in, water out, air dry type thing. While building you insert rebar in core holes and fill them with grout. Every 2nd 3 rd or 4th core depending on heiight and soil type. Also using “joint reinforcement” i call it blok lok but that’s a proprietary name like Kleenex, but it’s what we call it up here.After the fact is tough. There are a few products out there like a carbon fibre strap that gets adhered to the block, but I’ve never used them. I might consider building a pilaster(re-inforced) in front of an area that is bulging.
Do that every 8′ or less and it adds considerably to the structure. Take a look at a web site called kryton.com.We are currently repairing a foundation crack on a neighour’s home with this product. It is called Krystol T1 and T2. It is a foundation hair line crack above grade. With the application of the T1 and T2 sytem, it will grow crystals into the pores of the concrete to give it a water proof seal.Check out the video section.
We have this available in Canada, and after checking their site, I believe it is available in the States.You would have to ask a sales rep about concrete block walls though. They may have a different product for that. Let me know what you find.
