Call UsHorizontal Crack Repairs in RI & MA, from Boston to Providence to the Cape
What Causes Horizontal Cracks in my Foundation?
Concrete is made of cement, gravel, and water. When the water starts to evaporate, the remaining ingredients then harden into a solid slab of concrete. Unfortunately, this portion of the process can cause the concrete to shrink a little bit, and this results in hairline cracks in the slab. While this kind of crack doesn’t threaten the structural integrity of the house, it does provide an opening for groundwater, insects and even radon gas to pass through.
Which Direction is the Crack?
andTo know if you need assistance, take notice of the direction of the crack. If you have a horizontal or vertical hairline crack it is probably concrete shrinkage and nothing to worry about. If you see wide horizontal cracks accompanied by wall movement or bowing. or vertical V-shaped cracks and cracks that look like a staircase, they indicate a far more serious problem and you may require structural crack repairs.
What’s the Size of the Crack?
If it’s a hairline crack, these aren’t very serious and can be easily repaired. Even if the magnitude isn’t as severe (i.e. bulging or slanting), it’s worth being repaired, as having smaller cracks repaired early can prevent bigger problems and cracks in the future.
Trust the Award-winning, Pioneer Basement for Foundation Crack Repair in Massachusetts and RI
Most horizontal cracks happen with frost damage. Freezing temperatures can actually cause the concrete to shrink. It can also be caused by an excess of pressure on the foundation from wet soil. The most important thing to note is that if you see a bulging crack, this could mean that the home is slowly sliding off of its footing and needs to be taken care of immediately.
Please do remember that if you see large, recurring cracks or bulging walls inside your home, don’t try to fix these conditions! Instead, call a professional so that he or she can handle it. That’s where we come in!
Our foundation repair experts can provide you with a free structural inspection, giving you peace of mind that your foundation is sound. We can also help you with leaky basement cracks, crawl spaces, and vapor barriers. If you have a questionable crack in your foundation, or just want to ask us a few questions, feel free contact us for a Free Inspection and Estimate!
iBasement Systems & Crawl Space Systems Certificates
The iBasement Systems and Crawl Space Systems Certificates were created using specific sets of criteria to provide a healthy indoor living environment. Air pollutants and excessive moisture levels in the basement or crawl space can negatively impact the odors in the home as well as cause health problems with those who live there year-round - including yourself!
We offer 6 levels of iBasement Certificate, and 5 levels Crawl Space Systems Certificate, each designed to solve specific problems and protect your home, family, and property value on the long run.
Steps towards a healthy basement and a Nationally Backed Warranty.
All of our Healthy Basement / Crawl Space Contractors are trained and certified.
Steps towards a healthy crawl space and a Nationally Backed Warranty.
All of our Healthy Basement / Crawl Space Contractors are trained and certified.
Why does my basement smell musty?
That infamous musty odor indicates the presence of mold in your basement, even of you can’t see mold spots yet. Mold is a smelly fungus that loves damp and dark environments like a basement. Even in small concentrations it still releases spores and odors in the air.
Is mold in the basement dangerous?
Only a few species of mold, such as black mold, produce hazardous mycotoxins that can trigger serious health problems. Yet, every species of mold growing indoors releases spores which, in high concentrations, will negatively impact indoor air quality. This can trigger mild to sever allergy symptoms in sensitive people.
How to clean up mold in my basement?
If you have a visible mold infestation in your basement, start by getting rid of all the moldy items. Cardboard, paper, fabrics, upholstery, wood, drywall, and insulation must be removed and properly discarded. You can then clean mold from the walls and other hard surfaces using these CDC guidelines. https://www.cdc.gov/mold/mold-cleanup-bleach.html
How to get rid of basement mold?
The most effective way to permanently kill mold and keep it from growing back is to always keep Relative Humidity Levels in the basement below 60%. That can be accomplished by running a good basement dehumidifier that will constantly monitor RH levels and run as needed of the levels are too high.
What are those stains in my basement wall?
Stains in basement walls can have different causes. Some stains are mold. Others, like rusty-colored stains can indicate the presence of iron ochre in the groundwater, and a white, powdery substance covering the walls can be efflorescence. Basement wall stains usually are a sign of water seepage, and that your basement would benefit from drainage improvements.
What Our Customers Say About Us
Accreditations
Angie’s List Super Service Award 2016
Home Advisor Screened & Approved
Basement Health Association Member
Better Business Bureau Rating A+
BestPickReport.com -4th year as a Best Pick!
Service Area
Pioneer Basement offers a variety of services from waterproofing to foundation repairs. We offer the following services in your area, basement waterproofing, crawl space encapsulation, sump pump installation and service, basement crack repair, vapor barriers and moisture control.