Monsieur Fissure

What is a foundation crack?

A foundation crack is a crevice in a concrete foundation or a concrete structure supporting the weight of our homes and buildings, occupied or not. They can be caused by several factors such as soil movement, soil drought, freezing and thawing, etc... Foundation cracks, in Quebec are very common and can happen to any foundation and / or concrete structure and a crack may require recovery and stabilization of your foundation to prevent further damage to your home.

Can foundation cracks be passive?

Foundation cracks can be passive or active. Cracks due to shrinkage, poor initial compaction or premature backfilling soil around the foundation generally stabilize after a year. On the contrary, cracks caused by frost heave, by subsidence, by an inferior soil or a poorly compacted fill may still be active and even worsen. In some cases, the presence of cracking is not a major problem but it is still always prudent to conduct a preventive repair.

What is a Weeping tile?

A weeping tile is a porous pipe used for underground drainage. The pipe is typically plastic with small slits cut lengthwise into it. It is buried at the base of the foundation and surrounded by aggregate rocks larger than the slits. The aggregate rocks prevent excessive soil from falling through the slits into the weeping tile. With this arrangement, the water above in the surrounding soil flows into the weeping tile. The weeping tile then drains into a storm sewer or a sump pump.

If the weeping tile is blocked or nonexistent, the cement floor of the basement will often be humid, and during rainy periods, water can also infiltrate and cause damage. High humidity can promote the degradation of the cement slab, and promotes the growth of bacteria (sometimes called "mushrooms") that can cause various health problems for the building occupants.

Repair Methods

Several factors may influence the choice of repair to be made to the structure of your home. The direction, size and shape of the crack are the first items to be evaluated before considering any possible repairs. We then look at the interior and exterior to make a final decision with the owner.

Injection – Interior crack (poured concrete);

The treatment of a crack injection is to penetrate into the crack, a product that will create a mechanical bond and / or sealing, it can be injected under pressure with a liquid epoxy (major cracks) or polyurethane. This operation is usually done from the interior. On the contrary, this requires removing the interior finish, if applicable.

Membrane – Exterior crack;

The exterior repair consists of digging a hole approximately 3 feet by 4 feet along the foundation to its base. The foundation is then cleaned with the aid of a steel wire brush followed by the application of a primer for a good adhesive and we proceed with the installation of a waterproofing elastomeric membrane which is heated to the surface to be repaired. The elastomeric membrane has the advantage of having a high elasticity. It is resistant to slight movements of the foundation and it remains sealed so that small rocks cannot penetrate through