Do-It-Yourself Basement Waterproofing
Basement and Concrete Repairs
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Penetrating Concrete Sealers
Do-It-Yourself Basement Waterproofing Basement and Concrete Repairs |
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Do-It-Yourself Foundation Crack RepairConcrete Crack Injection KitsRadonSeal Foundation Crack Repair Kit makes do-it-yourself concrete crack repair easy. It lets you repair the stubborn, leaky basement cracks from the inside. Instead of a temporary "fix" with caulk or hydraulic cement, the injected polymer fills the crack permanently. It stops basement water leaks through both hairline or wide cracks.
Concrete crack injection stops and prevents water seepage by permanently filling the full length and depth of the crack. Then, water cannot get inside the crack and deteriorate the concrete, widening the crack further. Most homeowners have heard of "epoxy injection," which was originally developed to repair cracks in large concrete structures. Since epoxy is much stronger than concrete, it also provides a structural repair. However, you cannot hold a house foundation together by "gluing" a moving structural crack, because another crack would soon develop right next to it. Structural cracks are typically horizontal. If you have a crack that still keeps moving, consult a structural engineer. Fortunately, over 95% of basement cracks have already stabilized and just need stopping or preventing water leaks. They are usually diagonal and many start in the corner of a window. Such cracks are best repaired with expanding polyurethane polymer. But for special situations, when structural strength is required, we also provide epoxy injection kits. There is no drilling – the injection ports are glued on. The kits are very complete, including a CD with instructions, glasses, and gloves. You only need a conventional caulking gun. Repair Concrete Cracks Like a ProUntil recently, concrete crack injection required cumbersome high-pressure equipment, which only a professional contractor could use. But now, low-pressure crack injection kits has made it an easy do-it-yourself project.
You can repair cracks in poured basement walls or retaining walls, narrow cracks or saw cut joints in concrete floors, gaps between walls and the floor or ceiling, gaps around pipe penetrations, and holes in walls around rusted out tie rods. View a video on do-it-yourself crack injection (broadband needed). The Foundation Crack Repair Kit allows homeowners to repair cracks just like a pro but at a much lower cost. Our do-it-yourself crack injection kits and professional toolkits utilize the same high-quality materials. Crack injection is not suitable for masonry blocks or bricks. Polyurethane or Epoxy Injection?The best solution for most cracks is our standard D-I-Y Foundation Crack Repair Kit, which injects expanding polyurethane into the crack. Its low viscosity makes it penetrate into hairline cracks and then, it forcefully expands up to 20 times its volume to completely fill even wide cracks (up to 1/2"). The polyurethane foam remains flexible and allows for the natural movement of concrete. The crack injection kit includes two split two-component cartridges and mixing nozzles which ensures precise mixing of the polyurethane. The expanding foam will fill the entire length (up to 8–10 linear feet) and depth of the crack (up to 22" thick walls), as well as voids in the ground outside. Water will never get into the crack again. Click for Foam Data Sheet and Foam MSDS (PDF) Epoxy crack injection does not only stop water but also provides structural strength. Its strength and bond with concrete greatly exceed the strength of the concrete itself and it prevents further elongation and yawning of structural cracks. However, if the underlying cause of the structural stress is not resolved, a new crack will likely develop next to the repaired crack. Our D-I-Y epoxy injection kit includes four two-component epoxy cartridges for crack injection. This fills a volume of 60 cu. in. – a crack 8' long and 1/16" wide in a wall 10" thick (8'x12 x 1/16" x 10" = 60 cu. in.). Epoxy does not expand. It is suitable for hairline cracks but if the crack is wider, it requires proportionally more epoxy. Epoxy cures slowly and if there is a void on the outside, epoxy will run out and "disappear." Surface Sealer for Crack InjectionThe standard crack injection kit includes a two-component epoxy Surface Sealer and Port Adhesive in two jars. After "gluing" on the injection ports, spread on the Surface Sealer 3/4" to 1" on each side of the crack. The epoxy in the do-it-yourself kits cures slower, making it more forgiving. Its "mixing time" (before it gets too hard to spread) is 8 minutes and it cures hard enough for injection (fingernail hard) in about 2 to 3 hours. The professional epoxy surface sealer should be applied within 5 minutes and it cures much faster - in 30 to 40 minutes. After completing the crack repair, knock off the injection ports. The gray epoxy layer stays on the surface. But if appearance matters, you have to remove it with a grinder or chisel. Easy-Peel Surface Sealer & Adhesive
If appearance of the finished surface matters, the Easy-Peel surface sealer is the solution. You can peel off the surface seal together with injection ports all in one piece. It leaves a neat and clean concrete surface. The Easy-Peel polyurea surface sealer is packaged in two-component split cartridges for precise mixing. No guessing or hand-mixing.
Professional Crack Injection KitsThe Do-It-Yourself Crack Repair Kits repair up to 8–10 linear ft. of cracks. The kits are complete, only a conventional caulking gun is needed. If you have over 30 ft. of cracks, use the professional crack injection kits. Professional Foundation Crack Repair Toolkits are available in 30 or 60 linear ft. sizes with urethane or epoxy. The complete kits include a professional caulking gun, which makes the job easier. Also suitable for homeowners with lots of cracks to repair. Professional contractors receive technical consultations, additional materials as required, and a wide choice of surface sealers and injection polymers for special applications.
PipeTite Gap Filler KitsWhen taking a pipe through a concrete wall, the size of the drilled hole is always a size larger than the pipe. Then, workers stuff mortar into the large gap around the pipe. However, if the pipe is underground and exposed to water, the mortar will inevitably deteriorate and start leaking. Repairs with caulk or hydraulic cement soon fail. These recurrent water leaks are an endless nuisance to many a homeowner. Our PipeTite Gap Filler Kit provides a permanent solution for holes in poured concrete or brick walls. Similar to the D-I-Y Foundation Crack Repair Kit but smaller. All you need is a common caulking gun. The kit fills the entire opening through the wall with polyurethane foam. Water will never find it again. Unlike any surface repairs, it prevents water from getting into the concrete. Application is very similar to crack injection:
The polyurethane tenaciously adheres to concrete, plastic, and metals. It beats caulking, mortar, hydraulic cement, or patching compounds. It will never separate, peel, or leak – it is permanent. Form wire ties: These steel wires hold the forms together when concrete walls are poured. However, once the exterior waterproofing breaks down, water attacks the form ties, making them rust or fall out. Water starts squirting into the basement. Caulking or patching are only temporary. Glue an injection port right on top of the hole and inject the expandable urethane sealant, in order to stop the leak permanently. Price and Shipping
Normally shipped the same or next business day. Delivery by courier in 3 to 5 business days. Shipping costs are valid for the lower 48 states. For shipping express, to other states or Canada, please contact us for shipping rates. FAQ: How about the cheaper crack injection kits for homeowners?Our polyurethane foam is hydrophobic - it expands even in the absence of water and then, it repels water. It is the same polyurethane we supply to professional contractors. There are cheaper polyurethane foams which are hydrophilic - they absorb water but crumble after repeated drying.
We believe that crack repair should be forever. After finishing the basement, you need not worry that the crack will start leaking in several years. Crack Injection ProcedureRadonSeal Foundation Crack Repair Kit is complete - it contains all the materials and accessories for a typical 8-ft. (up to 10 ft.) basement crack, even nitrile gloves, safety glasses, and a drop sheet. The only tool you need is a conventional caulking gun. The crack injection procedure is simple. No special skills are required - just patience. The basic steps:
Check the detailed Polyurethane Crack Repair Guide (PDF) Patience! During the injection, squeeze the caulking gun very gently with only about 20 lbs. of pressure to allow the polyurethane to penetrate into hairline cracks and the foam to expand. This means spending 2-5 minutes on each port. Wet cracks: Water inside the crack is needed - it makes the polyurethane foam expand. But the wall surface around the crack must be dry for the surface sealer to adhere. Wait until it dries out or use a hair dryer, ceramic heater or a heat gun. The wall surface should remain dry for about an hour for the epoxy sealer to properly adhere. Leaking cracks: Very difficult to repair. Running water prevents the surface sealer, as well as the injected polymer, from adhering properly in the leaking area. Wait until the leak stops. Or hire a contractor who can use the high-pressure injection method. Hairline cracks: Heating up the urethane greatly lowers its viscosity and makes the injection easier. Fill a pot or pail with hot water from the faucet and submerge the urethane cartridges for 10 to 20 minutes. Corner cracks: The base of the injection ports has pre-cut slits. Just fold the base along the slits, apply the epoxy glue, and hold the port in the corner until the glue holds. Or just cut the base off. Above-grade walls: If there is a void on the other side of the crack, the polyurethane foam would wastefully expand into the air. Seal the other side of the crack first with caulk or the surface sealer. Temperatures: The concrete temperature should be above 40° F, preferably above 50° F. Storage: Dry conditions, preferably at room temperatures. Shelf life at least 1 year. Learn more about the types of cracks in foundation walls. Any questions? Please contact us by e-mail, MADE IN USA |
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