Concrete cracks are very familiar to homeowners. Very often, the basement may begin to crack for various reasons including a settling of the foundation. When this happens, it is important to consider having a professional inspect the concrete to determine the best course of action. A typical Crack Repair Natick MA professional will recommend a simple solution.
The first step is to clean the surface. This includes using a wire brush to remove any loose debris that may have fallen into the exposed crack. If you do not have a wire brush, you can use a brush with very stiff bristles. This step is the most important because a dirty surface or loose debris will prevent the next steps from working properly to protect your home.
Sealing the concrete is the next step. You can obtain a concrete water proofing solution that can be painted on the surface. This will penetrate the concrete and keep water from seeping through and causing more cracks. Once the sealant is dry, you can begin working on the exposed crack.
The final step is a bit more complicated and may require the assistance of a professional Crack Repair Natick MA specialist. They will begin by injecting a resin into the crack itself. An initial bead will be squirted into the crack, followed by silica sand. The sand helps to fill the crack with a permeable solution. Finally, the professional will fill the rest of the crack with another bead of resin to finish the seal. After about 10 minutes of drying, they will sand it to be level with the rest of the flooring.
If the crack is deep, they may have to perform a larger job by widening the crack in order to do the larger repair work necessary. If you are unsure about the severity of the damage, you should have a professional Crack Repair Natick MA service evaluate the problem. In most cases, they can complete the simple repair quickly. In places where water freezes in the winter, you should make sure any cracks are sealed prior to the cold months.