minor basement crack weeping moisture, which foam injection kit to go with
House is 14 years old and I am the only owner. The crack is vertical, non-structural and has been in the wall for about 12 years with out getting worse. Its about 1/16th wide. For the past two years it has weeped some very minor moisture around spring thaw. Not enough water to run down the wall but enough to make the wall damp along the crack about 1/2 way up. Foundation is out of warranty,the grade/drainage outside is decent (doesnt weep if it rains hard) and the drain tiles all run nicely.
From what I have read this kind of crack is prime canidate for foam injection from the inside. Been looking at kits and seems to be a pretty wide range of price (quality?). I’m leaning towards kits by Emcole and Applied Basement Tech as they seem to have the best reviews etc that I have read.
Any other kits/techniques that I should look at?
Thanks
J-
Replies
Both brands are good. Of course you're thinking the polyurethane as opposed to the epoxy. It is a more forgiving system for when you've never done it before. Since your description doesn't sound structural, poly is best. It even sets better when it is a little damp. Make sure you follow the drilling process outlined and it will solve your needs.
It's not going to stop leaking if you only seal from the inside. It'll just come out somewhere else. Enlarge the crack on the outside with a grinder and diamond blade and fill it with epoxy. It'll never leak again.
Cool thanks for the reply. Yep was going to do the poly not the epoxy.
J-
With the polyurethane, it will expand through the whole wall system when applied properly. If the crack is through the waterproofing the foam will flow out through it. There is always a chance for water to find another way in. That is true. With weeping cracks though, we have had no reason to doubt the poly. It is not a substitute for proper techniques and best practices in construction, but it does save butts.