Can You Repair Foundation Cracks Yourself?

Your foundation literally supports the weight of your entire home, so it’s important to make sure it is structurally sound. Many home foundations develop cracks over time, and this is often nothing to worry about — it’s just a result of a natural process called settling. However, just because the cracks in your foundation aren’t indicative of a serious problem, it’s still a good idea to repair them as soon as possible to prevent them from worsening or leading to risks such as air and water infiltration. But does this mean you need to call in a professional? Not necessarily. It’s entirely possible to repair smaller surface cracks in your foundation by yourself.

If the cracks in your foundation are larger than ¼ inch wide, you should have them examined by a structural engineer or professional foundation repair company. If they are less than ¼, the following repair method should suffice. You’ll need an epoxy caulking kit, which can be purchased at most home improvement stores, and some basic tools such as a hammer, a chisel, a wire brush, and a sponge.

First, chip away any loose material with the hammer and chisel and then use the brush to clean out dust and grit from within the crack and from the surface of the area. Next, wet the crack with water using the sponge. This will stop the patching material from drying out and cracking during application.

Insert the injection ports along the crack and apply a coat of the epoxy to the surface. This will create a seal that will prevent the bonding material from running out of the crack once injected. Ensure there are no gaps or bubbles in the epoxy seal.

Once the seal is dry, begin injecting epoxy into the crack, starting with the injection port nearest the ground. Once the epoxy begins to run out of the next port up, it’s time to move up to that port. Cap the lower port and beginning filling the higher port until the epoxy begins to run out of the third port up. Then, cap the second port and inject epoxy into the third. Repeat this process until you reach the top.

While there are many ways to patch foundation cracks yourself, this is one of the most user-friendly ways to complete the job. However, if the crack still poses a problem after you have repaired it, or if the initial cracks are too large for you to repair yourself, it’s best to call in a professional.

Partner with Us for Foundation Repair

Engineered Solutions of Georgia is a foundation repair company that has served homeowners throughout the southeastern United States for more than a decade. No matter what type of foundation problems you are contending with, be it cracks, uneven settling, or foundation upheaval, our team will be happy to work with you to provide a lasting solution to your needs. Contact us today to learn more.