In this episode, Richard Comeras (aks “The Crackman”) discusses that foundation crack you’ve known about for years and now suddenly it starts leaking. Listen and enjoy!
Narrator: It’s time once again for the “Crack Man Podcast” hosted by A1 Foundation Crack Repair. We’re here with the Crackman himself, Rich Comeras. Rich has 30 years of experience in the construction industry and over 20 years experience as the founder and president of A1 Foundation and Crack Repair Inc. His podcasts provides expert basement water proofing, concrete repair, and preventative maintenance tips for homeowners and businesses. A1 Foundation’s excellent insight will help avert a disastrous flood within the basement, health problems associated with water infiltration within the basement, and protect your biggest investment….your home. The topic for today’s podcast: Why did my Foundation Wall Crack Suddenly Start Leaking After 20 Years?
So Rich, concrete will eventually crack at some point, right? It may be fairly normal to have cracks in foundation walls that aren’t leaking and cause no structural concerns, right?
Crackman: That’s certainly true.
Narrator: So why might my foundation wall start leaking after twenty years or so?
Crackman: I get this call all the time. In fact just this morning I got a call from Maynard Mass. An older couple have been in their house for 23 years that had a crack in the foundation when they bought it. Now it’s leaking. You got to understand that concrete expands and contracts. Concrete is very strong if you push down on it, but now so much if you push against it.
What has happened with this winter that we’ve had is that we’ve had some cold weather, it froze early, ad when soils and water freeze, they push against the foundation. This will make existing cracks bigger. The water gets in there and it freezes and makes the crack bigger a little bit at a time. These cracks allow water to come in.
It could also be that we’ve had lots of snow. The snow melting off the roof, you got water coming in. Then comes the rain. Also in winter, I’ve seen this also, the faucet outside the house, people don’t bleed them. They can keep dripping through the winter keeping and causing these situations.
These are all reasons why after twenty years, ten years, these foundation walls begin to leak. One thing I’ve always said. There are two types of cracks. One the leaks and one that’s going to leak. We just don’t know when they are going to leak.
Narrator: So did that couple make a mistake not getting that crack repaired and waiting for it to finally start leaking?
Crackman: A crack lets water in. It definitely lets cold in. And they can let insects in. And usually cracks know when you are away. It can leak when you’re not there and cause problems. Then your looking at mold and mildew. Don’t forget there is moist air in the ground that helps moisture come through that crack. So, get the crack repaired while in your in control of it before it gets control of you.