In any structure, you are likely to spot leaking cracks. The cracks can form in any area built with concrete ranging from basement floors, sidewalks, concrete slab, roofs, driveway and any other area. When you notice any cracks or leakages, it is important to do the necessary concrete repair and leak sealing before the problem develops into a bigger problem.
You will usually come across leaky floors, flaking outdoor concrete or a cracked patio. The most important thing is to take action immediately and ensure you repair any crumbling areas and apply the necessary seals to ensure the issue is halted. You will need to identify the specific areas that require repair and sealing, the type of products to use to rectify the problem and the approach to use to accomplish it.
How To Prevent Leakages
Before you think of starting any concrete repair and leak sealing works, it is important to be on the lookout for any signs. You need to look for any signs that there might be seepages or cracks forming in the concrete.
When you note a musty smell for a long time or water gathering in the windows, this can be a sign of leakage. You may also note water entering through the metal ties in your structure walls, which may be a sign that the ties are rusting. Epoxy resin injection, a technique in leak sealing is used to handle the problem. This technique helps in protecting the rebar and sealing any leakages. Having been in use for decades, it helps has been acclaimed for large savings. It involves welding cracks together in a bid to restore the original concrete strength making it is as good as new. The technique helps in creating an impervious seal to chemicals, air, debris and water. You may require a contractor to handle this, as it is more complicated.
Many people think that cement is non-porous and non-permeable. However, cement is both permeable and porous. Cement allows water to pass through it as it can fill with water. The water that passes through your cement may end up in your basement or in any other areas. Since concrete is permeable, continuous passing of water will result in a musty smell and dampness.
There are a set of techniques used in preventing water from passing to the basement area of a building referred to as basement waterproofing. These techniques are common during concrete repair and leak sealing and are aimed at preventing basement flooding. If you are struggling with a wet basement, or you are trying to prevent one from occurring, then basement waterproofing will come in handy. These techniques will end up saving you quite much and you will avoid the risk of serious structural damage.
Basement Water Proofing
Basement waterproofing is one technique that although costly, it has been often been used in managing wet basements and dampness. When thinking of concrete repair and leak sealing, basement waterproofing is a technique you should also consider. You are able to repair leaking floors, walls and cracks by engaging a basement-waterproofing contractor.
There are three approaches used in this technique namely exterior waterproofing, interior sealants and waterproofing, and interior and exterior damage.
- Interior sealants and waterproofing approach focuses on injecting special sealants through any concrete openings. The sealants help in sealing any paths that moisture can force its way through. The sealants offer long-term solution but have a weakness in that they do now work very well in areas with strong water pressure.
- Exterior waterproofing involves sealing walls with waterproof coating. You are able to stop water from entering your home by following this approach.
- Interior and exterior water drainage focuses on using the drainage to prevent any leaks. All these approaches are used differently depending on the problem.
When it comes to concrete repair and leak sealing, pressure grouting is a process that many contractors and homeowners alike follow at times. It involves the injection of concrete or chemical grout into your floor, foundation or walls.
Pressure grouting involves drilling holes in the area you intend to inject cement, or the area recommended by a contractor. In most instances, a pump is used to push the grout into the area until it blends with the existing concrete. This helps in filling any voids resulting in a stabilized surface. If you are undertaking repairs because of weakened soil, pressure grouting can also come in handy as it stabilizes the soil and can even lift settled structures. When using this technique, it is important to seek the advice of a professional as they may help in identifying the areas that require stabilization thus the results are more effective.
How To Identify a Contractor
Many people are usually torn between hiring a contractor and carrying out concrete repair and leak sealing on their own. However, the extent of work required is usually the determinant of who does the work. You will note that you can save quite a lot in terms of costs if you do the repairs yourself whereas you may also end up with a bigger problem if you do not handle the job correctly.
It is important to note that there are some small concrete repair works and leak sealing that you handle personally and you can end up saving quite a lot. You will come across repair kits that have every tool required to handle small jobs. These repair kits have the necessary tools to undertake simple cracks repair or to modify the appearance of your concrete. They also have a guide that every homeowner can use while undertaking repairs.
While looking for a contractor to undertake concrete repair and leak sealing in your property, it is important to consider their credentials. You do not want to end up with a bigger problem, which will cost you more later to fix or even risk your safety. Many companies claim to handle repairs but it is important to consider whether they are authorized to offer the services they offer.
Another factor to consider is the feedback. You will need to source for services from a company with positive customer reviews. The better the reviews a company has, the better the service they will offer you. You can also ask for recommendations from friends and relatives. Concrete repair is a sensitive area especially if it involves basement or floor repairs. You may end up with collapsed walls or leaking floors if you do not handle the issue comprehensively.
There are many reasons as to why concrete cracks. Often times, cracks will appear due to change in climatic conditions. The concrete mixture may become dry, aged or weakened over time. Cracks may also appear because of structural overload and inward pressure from soils that are expanding. When cracks appear, moisture will form in them, and the result will be leakages.
When you notice any leaks or cracks, start concrete repair and leak sealing as soon as possible to divert any pending damage. When a structure is overloaded, cracks will also appear, as the concrete cannot handle the pressure. You will note at this stage, a professional will come in handy as the amount of repair required maybe much bigger. The expansion and contraction of concrete is also another reason why it may get cracked and end up crumbling if attention is not give immediately.
Conclusion
If you intend to handle any concrete repair and leak-sealing job, it is important to have a systematic approach to handling it. You need to start by identifying the source of any problems you note with your property. For example, if you notice water forming in your basement, the first step is to identify where that water is coming from. You have to make sure that all drainage systems are working and diverting water as needed.
Second, if you realize a bigger problem, hire a professional to handle the job for you. You need to make sure they have the relevant skills to make sure that they do the job according. You also need to get the best price; you can get repair quotations from several companies and settle on one that meets your budget. You also need to make sure that any material that you use during repair meets quality standards. With the right approach, you are able to get over any concrete problems or leakages quickly. Use this information as a guide while undertaking concrete repair.
