Basement wall crack repair
Most foundation cracks aren't a structural emergency, but a crack that lets water in will keep doing it until it's sealed properly.
Concrete shrinks as it cures, so many poured walls develop thin vertical cracks within a few years. Block and stone walls crack along mortar joints, and their mortar slowly washes out with age. Water finds those openings. The repair depends on the wall material, how wide the crack is, and whether the wall has moved.
Which cracks should I worry about?
- Horizontal cracks, or a wall that bows or leans inward
- Stair-step cracks through block or brick mortar joints
- Cracks wider at one end than the other
- Cracks that keep growing or reopen after patching
- Doors and windows upstairs that start sticking at the same time
Those can mean soil pressure or settlement, and a structural engineer's opinion may be worth getting before any waterproofing. A hairline vertical crack that just seeps water is usually a simpler fix.
How are cracks repaired?
- Injection in poured walls. Polyurethane or epoxy is injected through ports along the crack, filling it from the inside face to the outside. Polyurethane stays flexible and is used mainly to stop leaks; epoxy bonds the concrete and is sometimes used where strength matters.
- Block walls. Leaking joints can be repointed, and hollow block that fills with water is often paired with interior drainage that drains the cores.
- Stone and brick. Older foundations may need mortar repointing with a compatible mix. Hard modern mortar on soft old stone and brick can cause more damage than it prevents.
Is a permit needed?
The City of Altoona lists repairing a foundation among the jobs that need a building permit. Simple crack sealing may be treated differently from structural work, so ask the company whether your job needs one. Outside the city, check with your borough or township.
What affects the price?
- Number and length of cracks
- Wall type: poured, block, brick or stone
- Whether finished walls or framing block access
- Any structural reinforcement the wall needs
Every price comes from the waterproofing company itself, after someone has walked the basement, checked the walls and floor edge, and looked at the gutters and grading outside. We don't quote prices, and a number given over the phone before anyone sees the house is a guess at best.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Can I just patch a crack with hydraulic cement?
A surface patch can slow a small leak, but water often finds its way around it. Injection fills the crack through the wall, which is why it tends to last longer on poured concrete.
Should an engineer look at my wall first?
If the crack is horizontal, the wall is bowing, or the crack keeps getting wider, yes. Waterproofing a wall that's still moving doesn't fix the movement.
Related services
More background: Blair County basement water guide.
Puddles by the wall, a damp smell, or a pump that won't stop?
Call and a Blair County waterproofing company will come take a look.