Concrete shows wear and tear. This is because, here in New England we have very cold weather. Concrete is like a sponge and it will absorb water. Then we have cold weather and the water in the concrete freezes. Concrete is tough to a point, but when the water freezes, little bits of the concrete expand and break. Similar to a popcorn in a microwave, the concrete pieces get bigger and they pop. This is...

Let's start with the environment. Cement plants have been notorious polluters. With the EPA getting more aggressive with them, they have really cleaned up and now are considered clean manufacturing facilities. Transporting cement used to be challenging. You used to have to mix it at the build site. Now there are cement trucks that turn while transporting, the mixer turns so the cement can be mixed at the plant. As a result of the mixer,...

It is cold outside. But what is the definition of cold weather when it comes to pouring concrete. In our field, the definition is three-pronged. The temperature is less than 50 degrees F for more than 12 hours in any 24 hour period. When the temperature is less than 40 degrees from midnight to midnight. For a period of three consecutive days when the average temperature is below 40 degrees F and not above 50...

Recently we got a call from a homeowner on Cape Cod with a leaking pipe penetration. The homeowner had been fighting this abandoned pipe for years. Years ago the pipe was discontinued from the sewer line. unfortunately, the pipe has been leaking for years. The homeowner told us that he has tried stuffing rags inside it to try to stop water, he has attempted to add about 8" of hydraulic cement into the pipe. He...

It is very cold out. The hazards of freezing pipes is widely known and most-likely precautions should have been taken months ago. But sub-zero temperatures affect your foundation as well. In these temperatures, the soil around your foundation freezes, and when it freezes it pushes up against your foundation walls and can cause additional foundation cracks and movement. Especially in winters like this where there is no snow. Snow actually insulates the soil so it...

The topic of this blog will be a case study on repairing pipe penetration leaks in a basement of a home in Newton, MA. The caretaker of a 4.2 million dollar home in Newton, MA called A1 Foundation Crack Repair. We arrived to a beautiful home, went inside and they had exposed some of the pipes that had been leaking. They had to cut some walls down and open up a finished book shelf. This...

Boxelder bugs, commonly known as “stink bugs”, can become a nuisance to homeowners throughout New England (MA, RI, NH & CT) during late Fall into winter months. When the cold weather hits, boxelder females search for a warm and dry place, and they somehow find a way into your home! How do Stink Bugs Enter the Home? Foundation Cracks (Both floor and wall) Gaps around windows and doors Beneath Siding Why are they called Stink...

The goal of a sump pump is to lower the water table that is underneath your basement floor. A properly installed sump pump with adequate gravel under your basement floor can solve most water problems through cracks in the floor or from floor/wall seams. The Different Types of Sump Pumps: Submersible Pumps Pedestal Pumps Batter Backup Sump Pumps Combination Sump Pumps Misconceptions of Sump Pumps: Their purpose is to remove water on the floor False,...

Cracks in concrete are a common occurrence, especially in New England with the harsh winters and numerous freeze-thaw cycles. A crack in your concrete floor is like have a window open in your house; it may let certain unwanted things in, such as: water, radon, water vapors, insects, and rodents. Why do basement floors crack? Settlement Hydrostatic Pressure from water below Ground movement (earthquakes, heavy equipment, construction, blasting) Temperate and weather conditions when pouring the...

Of all the residential foundation repair services we offer, we feel the common sense advice offered below to be vitally important. Please consider the following winter protective measures for your home’s foundation. Every year we service customers who could have avoided winter and/or freeze-related water damage and basement floods. Leaking Basement Areas: Tie Rods Floor/Wall Seams Pipe Penetrations Wall Cracks Floor Cracks Cold Joints Bulkheads Some telltale signs that these areas have leaked in the...