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My Foundation Blocks Are Crumbling, What Is The Cause? | Smoky Mountain of TN

SYNOPSIS: You've come to the correct site if you're looking for information on how to fix a concrete foundation. Your home's foundation is an essential component, and it has to be maintained and repaired.

Foundation Blocks Are Crumbling, What Is The Cause

BY: John Greene, Smoky Mountain Crawl Space Systems

Smoky-Mountain-Crawlspace-Systems-my-foundation-blocks-are-crumbling-what-is-the-causeYou’ve come to the correct site if you’re looking for information on how to fix a concrete foundation! Your home’s foundation is an essential component, and it has to be regularly maintained as well as repaired when it is damaged. This post will cover the most likely causes of a crumbling concrete foundation, how to fix a crumbling concrete foundation, and how to keep your concrete from collapsing in the future.  

 

Why Is Your Concrete Foundation Crumbling?

 

Scaling may be the cause of the cracking in your concrete foundation (or spalling). Scaling frequently occurs when water that is exposed to freezing and thawing causes your concrete foundation to crack or chip. This can also happen as it ages, or if you routinely pressure wash or sandblast your foundation. Scaling may appear to be a minor aesthetic problem, but if it isn’t handled, it might eventually develop into a structural problem.

 

Minerals

 

Gravel is the necessary aggregate for concrete. Some mineral deposits that are present in the stone used to make this gravel progressively leach out, causing the concrete to fracture and crumble. In residential concrete, pyrites are the primary culprit. When present in large quantities, other minerals like silica and mica can also deteriorate materials. New concrete is not prone to these issues thanks to modern concrete testing standards, but older concrete structures could be.

 

Freezing and Thawing

 

While concrete appears to be a solid and long-lasting substance, it is nonetheless porous and will absorb water. The cement binder is forced apart when the water that has been contained inside the concrete freezes. Foundation blocks crumbling is brought on by this expansion and the subsequent constriction brought on by the water melting again. If you live somewhere where the winters are cold enough for the water to freeze, you should coat your concrete pathway or stairs with a sealer once a year to keep the water out.

 

Too Much Water

 

Dry concrete is available in two different forms: ready-to-mix cement bags or bags of cement with gravel already added. The cement reacts chemically to moisture, so as soon as you add it, it starts to set. Be aware, the chemical linkages that produce a sturdy and long-lasting concrete surface will be weaker if you add too much moisture during the mixing process. Use no more water than the mix’s design calls for to avoid producing brittle concrete that breaks apart under pressure.

 

De-icing Salt

 

Concrete driveways coated with frost become slippery and hazardous to walk on. Rock salt may help with melting and provide traction, but it will also corrode the concrete’s surface. A chemical reaction that is brought on from rock salt, or sodium chloride, causes the concrete surface to pit and crumble. This is avoided by using different types of de-icing crystals, such as potassium chloride or magnesium chloride.

 

How To Repair A Concrete Foundation That’s Crumbling?

 

Your concrete foundation is, well, the foundation of your entire home! That is to say it is of the utmost importance that it is well cared for and maintained. To go about fixing a concrete foundation that is deteriorating, it is crucial that you seek the help of a professional foundation repair service. This way, your foundation will receive the best possible chance to remain strong for your home with the proper materials and techniques of repair.

 

For homeowners that need the information to make a “patch-job” type project to their concrete foundation, the following tips below may help. Remember, without professional intervention, foundation repair may not perform the adequate repairs that need to be made.

 

Preparing The Surface

 

  • The surface needs to be frost-free, sound, and clean. Clean the area where the repair is to be made of all degraded concrete, dirt, oil, grease, and other substances that prevent a good bond.
  • To produce an exposed aggregate surface profile, preparation work should be carried out using a high-pressure water blast, scrabbling, or other suitable mechanical methods.
  • The success of decontamination and preparation should be evaluated by a pull-off test in order to achieve the best repair outcomes.
  • Edges should be saw-cut, and a dovetail is suggested.
  • Before application, the substrate has to be Saturated Surface Dry (SSD) with clean water. During application, there should be no standing water.
  • Before applying, the concrete must also be frost-free.

 

Solutions for Foundation Crumbling, Chipping, & Flaking

 

  • Vapor Barriers and Crawl Space Encapsulation: You may prevent moisture from penetrating your foundation walls by constructing a vapor barrier or enclosing your crawl area. You can avoid mold and mildew growth, make the most of your crawl space or basement, and stop water vapor from permeating foundation walls when you have a crawl space encapsulation professionally performed.
  • Downspouts and Gutters: You can stop water from dripping onto your foundation by having gutters and downspouts that are in good working order. This can aid in preventing spalling as well as the leakage of water into your crawl space or basement.
  • Interior, Exterior, and Surface Drainage: A proper water management system will aid in keeping water out of your foundation by redirecting it down and away from it. This will help contribute to maintaining a strong foundation.
  • Epoxy or Polyurethane Injections: Based on the results of your foundation examination, you could receive a recommendation to utilize epoxy resin or polyurethane foam to fortify the region. While it only temporarily aids in blocking  future water penetration, these materials fill and extend to suit fractures and open gaps.

 

How Smoky Mountain Crawlspace Systems Can Help

The best option for repairing your foundation can be done with a foundation repair contractor located nearby (like our team of experts here at Smoky Mountain Crawlspace Systems). One indication that your home may have an issue like a deteriorating foundation can present as crumbling. Your contractor may look for cracks, leaks, settlements, and other issues with your foundation and provide a custom tailored solution for yor home.

 

For more information about how we can help you get started on the path to a sound foundation, or to learn more about this issue, get in touch with us today at (865) 299-2315.

 

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“Best Crawl Space Repair in Nashville, TN”

Top Rated Local Crawl Space Repair & Cleaning Service Company

Davidson County: Nashville, Franklin, Brentwood, Murfreesboro, Clarksville, TN

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John Greene

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My Foundation Blocks Are Crumbling, What Is The Cause? | Smoky Mountain of TN