The goal of a sump pump is to lower the water table that is underneath your basement floor. A properly installed sump pump with adequate gravel under your basement floor can solve most water problems through cracks in the floor or from floor/wall seams. The Different Types of Sump Pumps: Submersible Pumps Pedestal Pumps Batter Backup Sump Pumps Combination Sump Pumps Misconceptions of Sump Pumps: Their purpose is to remove water on the floor False,...

Cracks in concrete are a common occurrence, especially in New England with the harsh winters and numerous freeze-thaw cycles. A crack in your concrete floor is like have a window open in your house; it may let certain unwanted things in, such as: water, radon, water vapors, insects, and rodents. Why do basement floors crack? Settlement Hydrostatic Pressure from water below Ground movement (earthquakes, heavy equipment, construction, blasting) Temperate and weather conditions when pouring the...

Of all the residential foundation repair services we offer, we feel the common sense advice offered below to be vitally important. Please consider the following winter protective measures for your home’s foundation. Every year we service customers who could have avoided winter and/or freeze-related water damage and basement floods. Leaking Basement Areas: Tie Rods Floor/Wall Seams Pipe Penetrations Wall Cracks Floor Cracks Cold Joints Bulkheads Some telltale signs that these areas have leaked in the...

What is a Coal Chute? In old buildings that originally used coal to heat with, you will find a 6 to 12 inch wide opening between the outside and the basement. When coal was delivered, people would then shovel the coal into this coal chute / coal slide to have the coal next to the furnace. The coal shoots are often found in major cities like, Boston, Worcester, Dorchester, Providence and Weston. Why do they...

Why is my foundation leaking now and never has leaked in the past? Since the middle of August I have been receiving calls from homeowners with fieldstone foundations that have always had dry basements until recent rains. Whether you are in MA, RI, CT, NH your stone foundation is not moving and causing new basement cracks during the New England summer. So whys are all of a sudden homeowners basements leaking? The answer to the...

Why do Floor/Wall Seams Leak? A common homeowner problem is a water leak between where the cement wall meets the cement floor. This area leaks due to the fact the cement wall rests on a footing. During the construction phase, the footing should be perfectly cleaned of all soil particles before the forms are placed on the footing and the concrete is poured between the forms. Over time, the particles of soil will erode away...

What is a Lally Column? In the late 1800’s, John Lally was upset and bewildered by buildings collapsing as a result of fires or inadequate support and searched for a solution. In 1898, in the town of Waltham, Massachusetts, a steel beam support column was invented by none other than John Lally, hence the name lally columns. Why & When are Lally Columns looked at? During Construction Phase; by a town building inspector When a...

Upon reading this Sunday’s MetroWest Daily News, I came across an article written by Zachary Comeau, titled “Towns struggle to track missing water”. The article highlighted 13 MetroWest towns throughout Massachusetts (Ashland, Medway, Hopkinton, Bellingham, Framingham, Holliston, Milford, Sudbury, Franklin, Hopedale, Natick, Southborough, & Northborough) and their trouble with unaccounted water supply. According to the state Department of Environmental Protection’s water conservation standards, 10% is the maximum threshold of unaccounted water for a particular community....

How to rectify water coming up cracks in your basement floor or along the floor/wall seams? All kinds of things are recommended from “waterproofing” paint to excavating the exterior of the home to re-tar the foundation. What is the proper way to deal with water underneath your cement floor? The debate on the proper solution been going on for years: SUMP PUMP vs. FRENCH DRAIN? Sump Pump Advantages Solves the problem 95% of the time...

At A-1 Foundation Crack Repair, we often receive calls from homeowners with basement leaks that originate from their chimney. These leaks are a common occurrence and can come from a variety of sources that will either occur from above or below grade sources. Leaking Chimney – Above Grade Sources Cap Mortar Joints or holes in bricks Porous brick Crack Crown Flashing Gutter Condensation Leaking Chimney – Below Grade Sources Leaking between wall, floor & footing...