Floor Crack

PROBLEM:
It is common for basement floors to crack. Shrinkage during original construction is the most frequent cause. In most cases, cracking is innocuous and causes no problems. Unlike your foundation walls, the basement floor rarely serves a structural purpose; it’s primarily there for your comfort (otherwise you would be walking on dirt, which is often the case with crawl spaces). Sinking / settling floors, however, can be the sign of a structural problem that should be further evaluated.

When hydrostatic pressure is present, water can be forced up from beneath the floor and create a messy problem. Sealing floor cracks to solve a seepage problem is not recommended, as it will only allow the water pressure to build and move elsewhere. Instead, our Estimator will typically recommend installing an Interior Drain Tile System. This system relieves hydrostatic pressure by draining the water beneath the floor and directing it to a sump pump.

Some floors are in such poor condition that you might consider replacing it with a new concrete floor in order to make your basement usable again.

SOLUTION:
Interior Drain Tile Systems

Interior Drain Tile is most commonly recommended to address seepage through the cove joint (where the floor and wall meet) or through floor cracks. It is also commonly used as a complete solution to control and prevent just about any type of seepage. The procedure involves opening the floor along the perimeter foundation wall(s) and installing a perforated drain pipe surrounded with washed gravel at the base of the wall. The system collects water from multiple sources and empties it into a sump pump.

Our Ultimate Drain Tile System is unique in that it doesn’t require maintenance and comes with a transferable lifetime warranty to the homeowner.

SOLUTION:
Concrete Floors

There are a number of problems associated with an exposed dirt / gravel crawl space. Common examples include increased mold, radon and humidity levels–all which contribute to an unhealthy home. Utilizing a concrete pump, we can install a new concrete surface into your crawl space, which will isolate these problems and instantaneously make your home a healthier place. As an added benefit, it creates usable space for storage.

We can also replace your old, deteriorated and cracked floor with a brand new floor more suitable for future basement finishing. We usually recommend installing a new Interior Drain Tile System at the same time to prevent future basement seepage. There are considerable cost savings doing them in conjunction with one another.