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Home & Garden Articles
DIY Home Repair; How to Patch Breaks in a Basement Wall
Mon 19 Feb 2007 - 09:03
DIY Home Repair; How to Patch Breaks in a Basement Wall
By Max Sheppard
One effective DIY home repair job that takes only a few minutes, but is nevertheless important to the structure of your home, is patching breaks in a basement wall.
Before beginning the project, however, watch over the area that needs patching for a couple of months. Although most cracks in cement walls are the result of normal settling, they could be a sign of major structural problems. If the problem area does not stabilize, but continues to get worse, seek the services of a building contractor, or repairing building contractor.
Assess Your Basement Concrete Wall
If the damaged area is leaking, fill it with quick-hardening plugging cement, or concrete epoxy. When mixing cement for dry patch spots, make a mortar using one part cement with two parts sand. Add water slowly, just enough to make a dough consistency; stir well.
If a new leak springs up near the repair site, there may be water backing up against the exterior of the foundation. In this case, more drastic measures for basement wall leak repair must be taken.
Whether your basement is cement or cement block, follow the repair tips below.
Do it Yourself Home Repair; Holes in cement
Use a cold chisel to enlarge the hole; undercut edges so the plug will not pop loose
Mix plugging cement and work into a tapered stopper" shape
As soon as it stiffens, pop it into the hole like a cork; hold in place for several minutes
Cracks in Cement DIY Home Repair
Using a chisel and hammer, cut cracks back to sound material; bevel the edges
Moisten the cracks well
Using a trowel, turn the mortar several times; work the mortar into the cracks with the tip of the trowel
Once the mortar begins to harden, pack the crack full
"Shave off" excess mortar using a wet trowel or putty knife
Home Renovation Tip - Repairing a Window Well
Poor drainage is often the culprit behind a basement well window that becomes stained by water or seepage. A faulty downspout or clogged gutter is often to blame, so check out both of these areas first.
Clean debris out from the well and flush with a hose to ensure it is draining properly. If the window well is made from concrete, try inserting a hose in the drain. Blow out any obstructions; waterproof the well using a waterproofing compound designed for masonry surfaces, if necessary. Follow product directions carefully.
If your basement well window is made from gravel, remove the gravel and waterproof the outside wall of the foundation. And then install fiberglass drainage board next to the wall.
If basement concrete wall restoration will be part of your diy home renovation plan, you may be able to handle the project yourself. However, if damage to basement walls and wells is extensive, chances are you'll need the services of a local building contractor.
One quick, easy way to locate a reliable contractor in your area is through a wave-of-the-future online contractor-to-project-owner match making service such as HandyCanadian.com. Because membership is absolutely free and no strings are attached, no risk is involved.
Online resources such as HandyCandian.com make finding a contractor with the right skills a breeze; for a match made in heaven that'll have homes and businesses in tip-top shape in no time flat. Visit their web site online for other articles on DIY home repair and renovation tips.
HandyCanadian.com is your one-stop renovation and home improvement resource website: where homeowners are matched to professional home renovation general contractors. HandyCanadian.com also offers free Home Improvement and Garden tips.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Max_Sheppard
http://EzineArticles.com/?DIY-Home-Repair;-How-to--Patch-Breaks-in-a-Basement-Wall&id=459589
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