Foundation Crack Repair
Cracks are a common problem and can develop in the poured concrete foundations of any home, regardless of the age of the house. Foundation repair services are essential for addressing troublesome cracks and ensuring the longevity of your home’s foundation. Not every crack is a problem, but as a homeowner, you should know when they are a symptom of a bigger problem.
Foundation Crack Repair
What causes a foundation crack?
- Stress or soil settlement along the footing of the structure
- Hydrostatic pressure on the foundation from high water levels
- Expansive clay soils that swell or shrink
- Poor drainage in your yard
- Plumbing leaks
If not addressed professionally, cracks in foundation walls can grow larger and lead to water leakage. Moisture in the basement can result in mold growth. In a worst-case scenario, cracks can result in significant structural and water damage, if not a structural failure.
Don’t wait to call us if you have cracks in your basement or crawlspace. Getting the foundation repaired promptly and correctly is the wisest choice to protect your home.
United Structural Systems of Illinois, Inc. employs a team of experienced professionals and offers two options for foundation crack repair:
Option 1
Contact us at (847) 382-2882 and request a service technician to repair your cracked foundation as soon as possible. Our office staff will provide you with guaranteed pricing and a repair description over the phone. Everything can be done with one phone call. No salesperson or estimator required.
Option 2
Contact us at (847) 382-2882 if you would like a trained field estimator to come to your property, perform an inspection, and write a free estimate of wall crack repair services. This option can be helpful if you’re unsure about whether there is a problem with your foundation and want the feedback of a foundation expert on the best path forward.
Foundation Crack Repair: Protect Your Home with Professional Solutions
We have the knowledge it takes to maintain the integrity of your home’s foundation. USS has been repairing foundation cracks throughout Illinois for over 30 years. Our company has experience using multiple foundation repair techniques to seal cracks permanently.
Low-Pressure Liquid Epoxy Resin Injection
The USS interior low-pressure epoxy injection process monolithically welds the structure together. This welding restores the concrete to its original strength and structural qualities. Our liquid epoxy injection seals the foundation and creates an impervious barrier to water seeping through the foundation, including the thinnest of concrete fractures.
Urethane Expansive Epoxy Injection
Polyurethane grout is an expansive foam-like material designed to stop water infiltration and maintain a dry basement. However, urethane injection does not offer structural benefits to the repair. When installed properly, urethane injection is most commonly used around pipe penetrations, water lines, tie rods or to fill foundation cracks that are open dramatically due to structural movement causing a large void to be filled.
Exterior Foundation Crack Repair
When accessing the foundation crack from the interior is not possible, we will excavate from the outside of the home. This involves digging from the grade level down to the foundation footing, exposing the crack at a minimum of 6 inches on both sides.
The foundation wall is ground and scraped clean. HLM 5000 waterproofing primer is applied to the foundation surface. Once cured, a bituthene membrane is applied and attached to the foundation surface.
This is the most effective fix for sealing a crack from the exterior and is a crucial method for basement waterproofing. It’s more labor-intensive and can be damaging to your landscaping, concrete or other items outside. USS recommends foundation crack repair be done by epoxy injection from the interior when possible.
Foundation Crack Stitching and Plating
If the foundation slab is on grade-style construction, one or more foundation wall cracks are larger than normal, and a crack is seen on the exterior of your home, USS will excavate to the bottom of your foundation footing, typically digging a 30″ x 30″ pilot hole.
The crack is sealed with HLM 5000 waterproofing sealant and a bituthene membrane is installed. USS will then install a 3/8” thick steel crack plate over the surface of the crack, tying the wall together. It’s anchored to the foundation using six galvanized concrete anchor bolts, three on each side.
Contact us now for a free consultation.
Contact us for your FREE Consultation
FAQ
Are All Foundation Cracks Serious?
Not always. Some small, hairline cracks are caused by normal concrete curing or minor settlement and may not indicate a structural problem. However, wider cracks, cracks that grow over time, or ones that let in water often signal underlying foundation movement that should be evaluated by a professional.
How Are Foundation Cracks Repaired?
Common methods include epoxy injection (for structural cracks) and polyurethane injection (for sealing water leaks). In cases where cracks are caused by foundation settlement or soil movement, additional structural solutions — like piers or wall reinforcement — may be needed along with crack repair.
Will the Cracks Come Back After Repair?
If cracks are only sealed without addressing the underlying cause (such as soil settlement, drainage issues, or hydrostatic pressure), they may reappear or new cracks may form. Permanent repair involves both sealing the crack and stabilizing the foundation, when necessary.
