Evaluation and Repair of Cracked Foundation Walls

by J. Mann, lic’d engineer
http://www.livingspace360.com/index.php/evaluation-and-repair-of-cracked-foundation-walls-28002/
Mr. Mann did a nice job with this, just my 2 1/2 pennies, got milk?

“Much money can also be wasted based on incorrect evaluation by unqualified persons” (and some who are supposedly qualified-- U S Army Corp link where THEY state, We also observed reputable engineers’ design solutions that did not alleviate the settlement and–or lateral pressure problems) :-k

Bubb’s does disagree with him on a couple things, one is where he says in 3rd paragraph, ’ Cracks in foundation walls are generally not the primary cause of water infiltration into a basement’ #-o

Hmmm, IF he means something like flooding/back ups etc is more often people’s problems then I won’t disagree much w/that.

However, if he means something like, cracks are not why/a primary reason why many basements leak and you can control leaky basements with grading then my balding-melon disagrees.

I disagree because of what we have repeatedly seen, repeatedly worked on/repaired, over and over spanning 3 1/2 decades. Cracks ARE a primary cause/reason why many basements leaks, oh yes indeedy sir. :mrgreen:

If all or many of these cracks in walls had NOT occurred then all/many of these homeowners we’ve done work for would NOT have needed that work, they would not have leaked, they would not have had water infiltration because there was no crack(s) for the stinkin water to get in, got dat?

If these exterior cracks in block foundation wall had not occurred then this woman’s basement would not have leaked
http://picasaweb.google.com/101049034584960315932/BasementWaterproofing12#5442257985206574578
Can post many, many more photo’s as some know :mrgreen:

IF… a homeowner who got water in basement due to a lateral line clog, had NOT got duh clog then, they would not have had water in basement, got dat?

What about homeowner with a poured foundation wall who gets water in due to open, deteriorated rod holes? Umm, if those rod holes had not deteriorated (if they’d been packed/sealed right when house was built), then… they would not have leaked.

Anyways, love that he knows and points out when he sees/reads bullsht on this subject… see MISLEADING and Incorrect Online Information :wink:

Eh, too bad he didn’t see/read some/all of the incompetent, incorrect, misleading junk from all the interior basement system companies :mrgreen:
Then again, maybe he started to and it was just too much crap to digest and he started drinking some cold brews.

Did ya look at the horizontal crack posted above…huh?

And how about this one…
http://picasaweb.google.com/101049034584960315932/May32013#5873674148985485762

What about some EXTERIOR blocks that can deteriorate/disintegrate like these…
http://picasaweb.google.com/101049034584960315932/Crawlspace#5540665133328086770

Some of these EXISTING EXTERIOR cracks. deterioration, is NOT visible when you look inspect, look at, the inside of some block basement walls!

These exterior defects/cracks/problems need to be repaired/waterproofed, sheesh. Placing wall anchors or beams or carbon straps on the inside does NOT stop/reduce/relieve further lateral pressure/weight acting upon the wall and doesn’t stop further WATER from PASSING through the mortar joints, blocks. What? It’s ok to allow mortar joints to weaken, crumble, blocks to deteriorate? loool

What about existing exterior openings/gaps/deterioration like this… leave it open and instead install an interior system or mudjack a slab? lool
http://picasaweb.google.com/101049034584960315932/BasementWaterproofing06#5442162385587957666
This is under a concrete slab, under a back door. Is NOT visible when your inside the basement
Rest of photos from that house, see OTHER problems?
http://picasaweb.google.com/101049034584960315932/BasementWaterproofing06

He makes a good point about tree roots as he states, “One major source of cracks (tree roots) is completely IGNORED”

Yes Mr. Mann, it often sure is… got milk?

Everything’s so BLURRY on basement waterproofing and foundation repair, and many are sooo FAKE!!
Puddle of Mudd/Blurry http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJJsoquu70o