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The 3 Common Causes of Concrete Foundation Cracks

The 3 Common Causes of Concrete Foundation Cracks

Waterproofing is about moving water in ways that are beneficial to your property. This means diverting water away so that it doesn’t cause damage to your property and ensuring that the right amount of water is retained in certain areas.

Too little moisture can produce effects similar to too much. Cracks, shifts in your foundation and other eventual problems can develop as the result of poor waterproofing.

Let’s briefly examine the causes of foundation cracks to better understand how waterproofing should aim to control moisture.

Foundation Cracks Crack Injection Repair Raleigh

1. Seismic Activity

Earthquakes, tremors and other seismic activities are a common cause of cracking. Everything from fracking to the presence of deep gold mines can encourage seismic activity, which in turn can cause cracks in concrete foundations.

In Raleigh, NC, there tends to be little seismic activity capable of cracking foundations. This leaves the majority of concrete damage to be limited to water-related problems.

2. Storms

Flash floods and prolonged downpours represent two situations where too much water is received by the ground in a short period. This allows the water to push against foundations, which in turn causes them to inevitably give way and to crack.

Water diversion can help significantly reduce the likelihood that cracks will develop by taking this excess water and diverting it away.

3. Drought and Too Little Moisture

When soil becomes saturated by water, it tends to press inwardly against concrete foundations. Soil that becomes too dry tends to pull foundations outward, which in turn causes cracking to occur.

Water diversion should aim to achieve a happy medium between soil that is too wet and too dry. This prevents the development of cracks while fostering a happy, healthy lawn that acts as a safe place for water retention.

Let Us Repair and Prevent Foundation Cracks

The most effective way to prevent foundation cracks is to ensure that your waterproofing is effective. It should put the right amount of water where your soil needs it most, which in turn keeps the pressure upon your foundation in a state that the concrete is able to handle.

Don’t let your Raleigh home become afflicted by water infiltration problems. At Raleigh Waterproofing, Inc., we can assess your property’s needs to develop several effective ways to divert water appropriately from your home.

To learn more about our services, to have your questions about waterproofing answered, or to schedule a free estimate, call us at 919-877-9969 today.

4 Reasons You Should Waterproof Your Foundation or Basement

Reasons You Should Waterproof Your Foundation or Basement

Home improvements do not have to be limited to what you can see. Improvements to items like electrical wiring and plumbing can bring significant comfort to everyone within your home without needing to be visible.

When you waterproof your foundation it is yet another unseen improvement that could make your home more usable and comfortable, but it is one that few people really consider due to the hidden nature of foundations and basements.

Let’s explore some reasons why you should waterproof your foundation.

Waterproof Your Foundation

1. Reducing the Risk of Flooding

Flooding is a very real risk to everyone living in Raleigh, North Carolina. It only takes one decent storm to have an indoor swimming pool within your own home.

Waterproofing reduces the risk of flooding by reshaping the way water interacts with your home. French drains can redirect water in safe ways. When you waterproof your foundation it will keep more water away from your home, which in turn reduces the likelihood that water will enter your home.

2. Keeping Your Basement Dry

While not every home in Raleigh has a basement, the ones that do will appreciate having a dry one.

When you waterproof your foundation it enables this by reducing the amount of water that seeps into a home. It can divert it while adding a waterproof barrier.

The result is a basement that can be used for everything from recreation to storage. This allows you to utilize your basement to its fullest without having to worry about floods, leaks or moisture that can cause extensive damage.

3. Reducing Overall Moisture

Moisture in a home can make your home feel warmer during the summer, cause oxidation on metal objects, destroy paper products, foster environments where mold thrives, and reduce the comfort you feel in your own home.

The first step to reducing moisture in your home is to waterproof your foundation. This is because water tends to travel upwards as it evaporates, which is why homes with a water-logged foundation tend to be more humid than homes with dry foundations.

4. Protecting Your Home

Water and homes seldom mix unless that water is in a controlled environment. This is a fact that remains true both inside and outside of your home.

Waterproofing your foundation can prevent water from seeping into your home where it can warp boards, cause walls to rot, and ruin your possessions. It minimizes the amount of water that seeps inside of your home.

Waterproofing the foundation also helps the outside of your home. It can help ensure that the ground where your foundation sits is less prone to shifting, which in turn can reduce the occurrence of foundation problems and leaks.

A Waterproofed Foundation Makes for a Smart Home

Waterproofing your foundation is one of the most important improvements you can make to your home. It keeps the inside dry while ensuring that the structure itself does not experience costly and bothersome foundation issues.

If you want to ensure that your foundation stays dry, then contact Raleigh Waterproofing, Inc. We specialize in basement waterproofing in Raleigh, NC both new and existing.