Chances are that the foundation to your house is the common slab foundation. Proper and routine inspection is crucial to the maintenance schedule of your home. Catching any cracks or damage early can be the single most important thing you do for the future viability of your house.
Here is a quick primer on what to look for when inspecting your slab foundation, and the easiest fixes in case you uncover some form of damage.
Check For Cracks And Deterioration
Though concrete is a strong building material, it has several weaknesses. It is extremely vulnerable to the elements, both temperature and prevailing weather systems. Shifting soil or problems with the subterranean water table can also wreck havoc on the slab foundation of your home. Every few months you should inspect the foundation of your home, looking for any cracks, deformities or deterioration of the foundation. Most often these occur on the parts of the foundation that are exposed to the elements, so fortunately checking for them is pretty simple.
Remember, small cracks or slight evidence of wear or erosion is normal for a foundation, especially with older houses. You are looking for large cracks and major deformations along the rim of the foundation. Serious cracks can be caused by moisture, precipitation, flooding and any of the other various weather related conditions that are present in most places.
How To Use Mortar To Repair Slab Foundation
One of the easiest ways to fix or repair cracks in your foundation is to use mortar. Clean out the crack or the lip of the deterioration with a wire brush, to rid the area of loose particles and cement flakes. Mix your mortar together with water and sand to ensure a solid composition. Once the mortar is mixed, prep the area that you are going to repair by wetting it lightly with water.
Then, using a mortar trowel, apply the mortar to the crack, crevice or deteriorating spot. Distribute the mortar evenly, and do your best to ensure that the crack is completely full of mortar. Press it in good, and smooth it out when the crack is filled. Do not let the mortar dry out too quickly, otherwise it will not present a solid base for the foundation repair. The mortar will be wet for roughly two days after you have finished applying it.
Using Epoxy Resin Instead Of Mortar
If mortar is not working for your repair job, or you are concerned about the likelihood of further water damage to your foundation, you may want to consider using an epoxy resin instead. An epoxy resin is a water tight chemical that seals the cracks more efficiently than mortar would, and better protects from the effects of water damage. It is a two part chemical system that comes with its own applicator apparatus. It is pretty simple to use, but since each brand varies, it is recommended that you follow the instructions on the label.
Posted by: valarie
