Even tree and plant roots have a way of finding their way through basement wall cracks.
The compound is squirted into the crack with a bottle or forced into the crack with a putty knife.
Cracks up to 1/2-inch wide and 1/4-inch deep, either interior or exterior, can be repaired this way.
The Spruce / Lee Wallender
This compound can usually be painted over with latex-based paint if desired.
The aim is to bond the concrete together again, as well as prevent water from seeping through.
While this is a highly effective method, it is not a do-it-yourself project.
Lee Wallender
It should be done by foundation repair technicians.
Use either a nylon brush or metal wire brush, along withTSP cleaning solution.
Dry out the crack and the surrounding area with a heat gun.
Lee Wallender
Be sure to remove all loose debris, especially around the edges.
Add the Crack Filler
Shake up or stir thecrack filler.
Add it to the crack.
Lee Wallender
give a shot to press as much filler into the crack with the filler bottle as possible.
Work in small sections.
Complete one section of about 1 to 2 feet before moving onto the next section.
Lee Wallender
Press In the Crack Filler
Put on a latex or latex-substitute glove.
Much like pressing caulk into a crack, use your finger to press the concrete filler into the crack.
Remove excess with your finger or with a cloth.
Smooth the Crack Filler
Use the putty knife to trowel the crack filler further into the crack.
Also, flatten the crack filler over the crack.
Let the crack filler cure for at least 24 hours before painting.
