AboutJim Hise Expertise I am the owner of EXPERT BASEMENT REPAIR in Cleveland, Ohio. I can identify the reasons for movement or cracking in home foundations, basements and walls. I am familiar with most waterproofing and water control methods. I am familiar with and have installed Ramjack, Dixie MacLean, and A.B.Chance™ helical and push pier systems, including tiebacks, steel beams, and rod and grout repair and also several carbon fiber stabilization products. I am currently certified to train Fortress carbon fiber installation and perform carbon repair in the greater Cleveland and Northeast Ohio region. I have been involved with all aspects slope stabilization for over 10 years. Please remember to tell me what city you live in to help me answer your question up front!
Experience 17 years of structural foundation fault identification and most repair and stabilization methods. I introduced Fortress carbon fiber to this region of Ohio. I have always been on site and involved in order to monitor each project I am responsible for.
Publications Waterproofing magazine issue #2
Education/Credentials Associates degree...and the school of hard knocks! Formerly certified by A.B.Chance company from 1993-2005. I have a construction and home improvement background for almost 35 years. I bought, restored and resold distressed property. I worked with 4 different foundation repair companies and am familiar with most methods. I also worked for a waterproofing company for several years. I teach ongoing education classes for home inspectors, adult education and Realtors in foundation fault identification and repair.
Past/Present Clients Hundreds of residential, commercial and some industrial.
Question Hello Jim, I have a solid concrete foundation, and when we moved in, about a year ago. The home inspector noticed a crack on the outside. He told us it was normal and to keep an eye on it. The other day i was in my basement and noticed the crack is on the inside also. It looks like the crack goes from the top of the concrete all the way to the floor , though it doesn't look like it is leaking at all. Could i fill in this crack myself or is it something more major work that would have to be done? Thank you!
Answer Andrew,
From now on when an inspector tells you to keep an eye on something...keep an eye on him.
A cracked foundation wall requires a bit more than mere observation. Solid concrete foundations crack as a result of settlement, shrinkage from drying or hydrostatic pressure. If there are no other vertical cracks on adjacent walls then we can rule out settlement. If there is no displacement of the two sides and the cracked wall face is even we can rule out hydrostatic pressure. Because the wall isn't wet it would suggest this is a shrinkage crack. With either a pressure or shrinkage crack the correct repair is crack injection. Use an epoxy injection with Fortress staples for more mechanical strength and use a polyurethane injection with Fortresss staples for water sealing and a lighter duty but stable repair. The Fortress staple spans the crack and stabilizes it.
You can do it yourself if you are real handy by ordering a repair kit from this company www.emecole.com Get your Fortress carbon staple information from these guys...www.fortressstabilization.com
Tell them I said hi! For additional information see my site. www.expertbasementrepair.com
Good luck, jim
