A1 Foundation Crack Repair is known for saving real estate deals that are on the brink of disaster due to unexpected basement water leaks. The Crackman recounts a recent event where he saved a deal for a grateful Homeowner and real estate agent.
Narrator: It’s time once again for the “Crack Man Podcast” hosted by A1 Foundation Crack Repair. I’m Darren Kincaid here with the Crack Man himself, Rich Comeras. Rich has 30 years’ experience in the construction industry and over 25 years as the president and founder of A1 Foundation Crack Repair. This podcasts provides expert basement waterproofing, concrete repair, and preventative maintenance tips for homeowners and businesses. A1 Foundation’s valuable insight will help avert a disastrous flood within the basement, health problems associated with water infiltration, and protect your biggest investment….your home. The topic of today’s podcast: What can happen if I don’t repoint my stone foundation?
Narrator: So, Rich, when the mortar holding your stone foundation starts to crumble, it might be time to repoint it. We’ve talked about it in a lot of previous podcasts, but what if a homeowner decides to be complacent and not fix their stone foundation? What are some of the ramifications of that bad decision?
Rich: Well, it can range. One is, it can create a structural issue because when the mortar breaks down in between the stone, the stone will drop a little bit and then it’s a domino effect.
So, it’s a structural issue. So that’s why you want to put mortar in between the stone if it’s decayed or non-existent anymore.
And speaking of that when you do replace the mortar, we’re taking water out. You want to do it with hand tools. You don’t want to use a pneumatic or a drill or a chisel on the end to do that because it will vibrate and cause more problems of the mortar that’s actually good that’s above it. So that’s why we use hand tools in order to do that.
Also, I’ve seen some people trying to use power washers to take the motor out in between the stones and that causes a problem because the water is absorbed into the concrete floor. Concrete is like a sponge, the moisture is there, even if you suck it up with a wet vac you will get humidity in the air. This will cause mold on the things that you have in your basement, let alone the floor boards and beams. So that’s what you want to look at when you do take water out.
Well there’s another reason, in the winter especially, they got cold air coming in through all those voids, and now that we’re in the spring, I’ve been getting calls. I just got one in North Attleboro and another one in Northborough, people having a problem with pests coming in. Now, these pests range from mice, rats, to snakes. And if you have a cat, these people are telling me that cats catch the snake too. But who wants to have snakes coming into their house, along with cold air and moisture? Also with that, the openings between the stones you get water coming in.
So, to sum up what we’re talking about is, why should you repair a stone foundation? One, is if you’re going to sell the house, home inspectors are going to pick on it. Two, would be structural. Three, would be water. Four, would be rodents, snakes and rats coming through. So, those are the reasons we get calls all over Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut, New Hampshire, to come out and repoint stone foundations.
Narrator: Well, you had me at rats and snakes, but I think all those are great reasons to repoint your stone foundation. Well, thanks Rich, great information and a call to action, for homeowners with stone foundations, to take care of these holes.
Narrator: If you have a basement water problem and think you need a professional, or, if you’d like more information on foundation crack repair and basement waterproofing topics, please visit A1FoundationCrackRepair.com or call Rich at (866) 929-3171. Or you can email Rich at info@a1foundationcrackrepair.com. Thanks for listening and keep that basement dry.