Homeowners are complaining about the rusty things sticking out of their tie rod foundation walls. People can get hurt by them and they can let water in. These rusty things are called tie rods or snap-ties.
What Are Tie Rod Leaks and What to Do About Them?
Tie rods are used during the construction phase. Builders take two pieces of wood and use the rods to separate them; they then pour the concrete between the wood. Once the concrete is dried, they remove the wood and are also supposed to snap the ties off on the outside and on the inside of the foundation.
Why Do Tie Rods Rust?
Tie rods are typically made of metal, making them susceptible to rust over time. As they rust, they diminish in size, creating gaps that allow water and cold air to penetrate the foundation, potentially leading to basement leaks and energy inefficiencies.
Addressing Leaking Tie Rods
At A-1 Foundation Crack Repair, we employ a proven method to resolve leaking tie rods:
- Assessment: Evaluate the condition of the tie rods to determine the extent of rust and potential leakage.
- Preparation: Drill adjacent to the tie rod to create access points for repair.
- Injection: Insert ports and inject a closed-cell polymer resin, effectively sealing the area to prevent water and air infiltration.
For tie rods that have not yet begun leaking, we proactively snap them off and apply a specialized caulking to mitigate future risks.
Preventative Measures Against Tie Road Leaks
Regular inspections of your foundation walls can help identify and address tie rod issues before they escalate. Early intervention is key to maintaining the structural integrity and comfort of your home.
They should be removed from the outside because they are a good source for letting water into the basement. Some contractors don't. We are getting calls because these tie rods have not been snapped off. We go in and cut them off, but they often leak. Often they are leaking before we snap them off. They leak because they are made of metal, metal rusts, and when they rust they get smaller, when they get smaller water can come in.
We work from the inside. We drill next to the tie-rod, put our ports in, and then inject the ports with closed polymer resin which stops the water and cold air from coming in. For those that are not leaking, we snap them off and put in a certain caulking as preventative maintenance. This stops the potential for both water and cold air from coming in.
For expert assistance with tie rod issues and comprehensive basement waterproofing solutions, contact A-1 Foundation Crack Repair.