foundation cracks

Wall Shrinkage Can Cause Foundation Cracks in Morganville NJ

Foundation Cracks in Morganville NJ

Have you spotted cracks in your foundation? The sight of foundation cracks can be disheartening for any homeowner. It can also be a cause for great anxiety. You may start to wonder what type of damage your foundation has undergone and what can be done about it. Your top fear will probably be how much it will cost to repair the foundation.

Before you go into full panic mode, take some time to call a waterproofing contractor. A full inspection of your basement will help to determine just how bad the situation is. Many homeowners find that things aren’t as bad as they seem and repairs are often done quickly and affordably.

A waterproofing contractor will help you evaluate the foundation cracks and determine the cause of the cracks. They will help you determine the best way to repair the cracks and deal with any other problems.

Shrinkage Cracks

Foundation walls aren’t static. They change in size and shape as they cure. They also shift in reaction to environmental conditions including temperature, groundwater and other such conditions. Cracks can occur in foundations as a result of the stress of shifting and curing.

Shrinkage cracks occur in different types of foundations:

  1. Poured concrete foundations

Shrinkage cracks occur in these foundations as a result of rapid curing, poor mixing of concrete as well as poor reinforcement of the foundation with steel. Changing temperatures can also cause shrinkage cracks when concrete expands and contracts in reaction to temperature changes.

  1. Brick walls

Bricks aren’t commonly used for the construction of foundations in modern houses. However, many old buildings feature these types of foundations. Shrinkage cracks in brick foundations occur in the mortar between the bricks. The bricks themselves never shrink but continue to expand.

  1. Block foundations

Shrinkage cracks in these types of foundations appear as cracks of uniform width at the center of the wall. They occur as a result of curing as well as variations in temperature.

Repairing Shrinkage Cracks

Shrinkage cracks in poured concrete and block foundations often aren’t structural. Their repair is therefore not as intensive as when dealing with structural cracks. Shrinkage cracks in brick walls are often a sign of a structural or support problem in the wall.

It is important to talk to a foundation expert in order to determine the best method for repairing the foundation cracks. Ignoring the cracks will only make matters worse. They can easily progress to pose a structural threat to your home.

basement waterproofing in new jersey

How Basement Waterproofing in New Jersey Can Save You Money

Basement Waterproofing in New Jersey

Basement waterproofing in New Jersey can save you money just like an insurance policy can. It starts saving you money when something goes wrong. And it saves you big money when something really big goes wrong.
A basement waterproofing system is more about prevention than anything. Therefore, when we talk about potential savings, you have to look at your individual situation, see what you have in your basement, and determine what it is worth to you.

Storage Items:

Most people at the very least use the basement for storage. On the low end, basement waterproofing can save you the cost of replacing those storage items. That is if they are even replaceable. Many times what we store away in the basement are priceless heirlooms and keepsakes. It is hard to even put a monetary value on these types of items. The non-sentimental items still have some value. At least, they are valuable enough for us to store them. Basement waterproofing on an unfinished, storage space will save you the heartache of dealing with damaged storage boxes if your basement was to flood.

Finished Basements:

This is where basement waterproofing will save you the most money. The best case scenario for a finished basement is dealing with all water issues and installing a basement waterproofing system BEFORE you finish the basement. This will save you from ever having to re-finish the basement if there is a water issue in the future. Plus, the EPA recommends it when converting the basement to living space. Mold, odors, and high humidity don’t make for the best environment for living space anyway.

According to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value report, the cost of a mid-range basement remodel is $62,834. That is to create a 20-by-30-foot entertaining area with a wet bar and a full bathroom. That also includes the cost of enclosing a mechanical room, paint and trim, electrical wiring, and plumbing. Construction isn’t cheap and that would not be fun to pay for it twice if you ever had to replace it after a basement flood. Not to mention the cost of cleaning up the mess.

Every basement waterproofer has had to pull out a destroyed finished basement due to a basement leak or flood. It is a hard lesson and a sad day. If they would have installed the system beforehand, basement waterproofing would have saved them so much money!

Future Foundation Repair:

Basement waterproofing not only protects your home and basement from potential water issues, but it also protects your foundation. Water pressure building up outside the foundation wall is the top reason foundations crack. If you don’t deal with the water issues outside the foundation it will inevitably affect your foundation walls. The worst case scenario is a neglected foundation that has moved past hairline cracks and leaks to serious structural problems. The foundation is the most important part of any building, and if the health and integrity of the foundation is compromised, the whole building will eventually see the effects. It is very dangerous to leave alone. Taking care of the water issues with basement waterproofing will save you the cost of future foundation repair, which ranges from $5,000 to $25,000 depending on the situation and the severity.

Peace of Mind:

Knowing you will save yourself a lot of heartache and hundreds to thousands of dollars cleaning up and fixing problems that could have been prevented is worth it. The peace of mind basement waterproofing in New Jersey brings is priceless.

Contact us for a FREE Estimate for basement waterproofing in New Jersey.

Basement Waterproofing | Monmouth County, NJ | Select Basement Waterproofing

Home Equity Can Come From Basement Waterproofing in New Jersey

Basement Waterproofing in New Jersey

WaterProof Stg0 Home Equity Can Come From Basement Waterproofing in New JerseyBasement waterproofing in New Jersey is a major factor in maximizing your home equity. Fixing minor problems are easy. But fixing major flaws become very important since it is both time consuming and expensive. Although basements are not used as much as kitchens, many sellers overlook the importance of a dry basement. In today’s buyers market, a clean dry basement is a must. Most statistics say well over 90% of home buyers won’t even look at a house when there are foundation issues. With a basement comes its many problems like leakage and flooding during rainy months. Basement waterproofing in New Jersey is a good solution that can make the sale of the home easy.

The Importance of Basement Waterproofing in New Jersey

While new home buyers sometimes look at basements as an added bonus, they are very cautious of buying homes with unkempt basements. Maintaining basements through the year is difficult, but with right kind of waterproofing, it can be easily done. When hiring a basement waterproofing contractor, make sure they offer a lifetime transferable warranty. When home shoppers see the foundation is under warranty, this is a great indicator that you have kept up the maintenance on your foundation and home.

Look for Foundation Cracks

A minor fracture found in the mortar joints of concrete block walls may not just be a simple “settling crack”. That may actually be the movement of the wall inward due to pressure from the earth’s clay on the exterior. These cracks on the interior are just the tip of the iceberg as far as damage is concerned. Popular Science tells there can be 3 to 4 times as many cracks to be found on the exterior wall when one is found on the inside. These cracks on the exterior lead to water seepage into the hollows of the block. That moisture, hidden and unseen in the hollows may take a while to leak presentable water on the interior.

These are just a few of the indicators of a much more significant issue. Professional inspections can prevent much of the more significant damage caused from this moisture. An ounce of prevention can save a pound of cure. Basement inspections may not solve the problem, but their diagnosis is the first step in attaining a dry, safe environment. If you would like a professional consultation on your foundation, please contact us.