How to Use a Foundation Crack Repair Kit
Using two Component, hydrophobic, moisture-resistant polyurethane coating is the correct method for repairing foundation crack repairs against water leaks. When in direct contact with moisture, the polyurethane rapidly expands up to twenty times its normal volume. Filling the whole length and width of a foundation repair boston crack with the expanding polymer, retaining the flexible structural element allowing for structural crack movement. The resulting crack sealant completely cures into the crack for an impervious, crack-free foundation.
Two component hydroxy-stabilized sealant is available in foundation crack repair kits and are easy to use. They are ideal for small cracks and are relatively inexpensive. For small cracks they are injected directly into the crack through an injection tube. For larger cracks, two components are used in the same procedure but in two different containers. The first container is filled with the expanding polymer while the second is filled with injection buffer.
Injection techniques have been used successfully for years but the material is extremely expensive and requires special equipment. This two-component method is the most effective for small structural cracks and has been used successfully on hundreds of foundation walls. When complete coverage is desired, this type of coating is used on the entire length of the foundation wall as well as the corners and any other place that might become susceptible to further cracking. For large structural cracks, hydroxy-stabilized coatings are combined with a second resin to fill in the gaps between wall sections and create an impervious barrier. These coatings are available in both single and multiple layers.
Foundation crack repair using hydroxy-stabilized coatings is an economical way to restore structural integrity to commercial structures. Cracks may appear anywhere on a foundation wall and small cracks can be fixed quickly and effectively using hydroxy-stabilized coatings, without extensive foundation repairs. Large cracks usually require more extensive repairs and may require the use of additional equipment such as overhead cranes or mobile scaffolds. For this reason, it is important to consider the cost and duration of the required repairs before deciding whether to utilize a foundation crack repair kit or perform the repairs without a protective coating.
Most kits contain a powerful gun that shoots a high-pressure stream of water at the foundation wall. As the water streams through the cracks, it expands into the weak areas creating a pressure point that is much more powerful than the static force of the surrounding dry air. This allows the concrete to expand without stress, resulting in the breakage of the concrete. After the cracking is repaired, this same pressure is used again to set the concrete back into its original position. This constant pumping of water causes the formation of stronger microscopic aggregates that bond with the surface of the concrete, reinforcing the cement and giving it greater strength.
To apply the hydroxy formula, the kit user should first prepare the area to be treated, including the area that will receive the cracks and the joint to seal. Next the joint is ready to apply the urethane foam, which is included in the formula. Once the foam has set, the sealer is applied directly to the wall and left to dry for about an hour. All three steps are then followed by a two-minute wait before covering the area with an extra layer of urethane foam to ensure the sealant adheres properly.