At A-1 Foundation Crack Repair, we often receive calls from homeowners and commercial accounts that mention puddles or dampness on their basement floor or garage floor when there has been no rain for days or even weeks.  The first areas to investigate when the garage or basement floor has dampness or puddles even when there has been no rain for weeks: Areas to Investigate: Leaking or sweating hot water tank. Leaking or sweating water pipes....

What are cold joints? A cold joint is the joining between the end of one concrete pour that has partially or fully cured and the beginning of a new pour. Cold joints are usually seen when new addition or garage is added onto a house, bulkheads, and even in new construction. Why do they Leak? Cold joints generally leak because this is a weak point in the concrete structure and there are voids at the...

What are Tie Rods? Tie rods/snap ties are small metal rods that are found in poured concrete foundations that go through the foundation from the inside to the outside. On the inside of the foundation the tie rods/ snap ties look like a series of small pinholes/dimples. When concrete is poured, tie rods are used to separate and hold the wood forms apart. Then the concrete is poured between the wood forms. When the concrete...

Why Do Garage floors Crack? There are four main reasons why garage floors crack. The first cause is from movement of the earth. Soil movement can be from the soil and/or water under the cement floor freezing. This freezing causes the soils to expand and exert pressure against the cement floor which causes cracking. Water can erode soils from under the garage/foundation floor that causes weakness in the floor which can result in floor cracks....

During the building process, holes are cored in foundation walls for the installation of sewer, electric, gas and oil lines. Often times, the gap between the wall and pipe itself is either improperly filled by the builder or not filled at all. Pipe penetrations in the foundation walls are often sealed the contractor with hydraulic cement. When attempts fail the homeowner or contractor usually then reapply more hydraulic cement, caulking or just about anything else...

Cracks in concrete walls and floors are a common occurrence. Next time you are in your basement, take a look at the foundation walls and floors, you will most likely find a crack. Why? It is the nature of concrete. Builders and homeowners contact us throughout the years to fix new and old foundations that have cracked. Some of these cracks leak and some do not. We have learned that there are two kinds of...

Homeowners throughout Boston, MA Chelmsford, MA Bristol, RI, Manchester, NH & Hartford, CT at one time or another, especially those who have experienced a flooded basement, have probably wondered if their home insurance covers a leaky basement. The truth is, most flooded basements are caused by water infiltration, which is not covered by most standard home insurance policies. What is not covered on regular home insurance policies under the term water infiltration, specifically excludes water...

Throughout Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire & Connecticut, there are many houses that were built with fieldstone or stone foundations. These houses were built between the late 1800’s and the early 1900s. Often times, these stone foundations are in need of maintenance. When inspecting stone foundations from the interior, the telltale sign that the foundation needs some attention is a visible white power on the basement floor near the stone foundation wall. This powder is...

In business since 1993, we have been requested to repair foundation cracks that homeowners and contractor have unsuccessfully attempted to repair. These failed attempts are seen far and wide from throughout Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and down to Connecticut. The allure can be a great TV ad, advice from a part time clerk or slick packaging. Some of the small print on the packaging may actually reveal how little water pressure, if any, the...

Residents of MA, RI, NH & CT often create more living space in their homes by finishing their basement. With this common practice of finishing basements, the disappointments of foundation leaks can appear from time to time, especially after a snow melt or heavy rain. With a leaking foundation your first concern is to dry out the basement in order to prevent mold, mildew and dry rot. The next step is to find where the...