Basement foundation crack repair
Most foundation cracks aren't structural emergencies, but a crack that lets water in will keep leaking until it's sealed the right way.
Poured concrete shrinks as it cures, so plenty of poured basement walls develop thin vertical cracks within the first few years. Block, brick and stone foundations crack along their mortar joints, and that mortar slowly washes out over decades. Water and frost find every one of those openings. The repair depends on what the wall is made of, how wide the crack is, and whether the wall is still moving.
Which cracks need more than a sealer?
- A horizontal crack, or a wall that bows or leans in
- Stair-step cracking through block or brick joints
- A crack noticeably wider at one end
- A crack that keeps growing or reopens after patching
- Doors or windows upstairs that start sticking at the same time
Those can point to soil pressure or settlement, and a structural engineer's opinion is worth getting before anyone just seals over them. A hairline vertical crack that only seeps is usually a simpler repair.
How are cracks fixed?
- Injection (poured walls). Ports are set along the crack and polyurethane or epoxy is pumped in until it fills the crack through the wall. Polyurethane stays flexible and is mainly used to stop leaks; epoxy bonds the concrete and is sometimes used where strength matters.
- Block walls. Leaking joints can be repointed, and hollow blocks that fill with water are often drained into interior drain tile at the bottom course.
- Stone and brick. The older foundations in Binghamton's historic neighborhoods may need repointing with a mortar that suits the masonry. Very hard modern mortar on old, softer masonry can trap water and damage the units around it.
Will I need a permit?
The City of Binghamton says any structural alteration requires a building permit, while repairs to nonstructural components don't. Sealing a leak and reinforcing a wall that has moved can fall on different sides of that line, so ask the company which yours is. Outside the city, check with your town or village building department.
What affects the price?
- Number and length of cracks
- Wall material: poured, block, brick or stone
- Finished walls, framing or ductwork in the way
- Any structural reinforcement the wall needs
Pricing comes from the waterproofing company after someone has been in the basement, looked at the walls, floor joint and sump, and walked the outside of the house. We don't quote prices, and nobody can give you an honest number over the phone before seeing where the water actually comes in.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Can I fix a leaking crack with hydraulic cement?
A surface plug can slow a small leak, but water often works around it. Injection fills the crack from the inside face to the outside, which is why it usually lasts longer on poured walls.
When should an engineer look at my wall?
If the crack is horizontal, the wall is bowing, or the crack keeps widening. Sealing a wall that's still moving doesn't stop the movement.
Related services
More background: Broome County basement water guide.
Wet floor edge, a weeping crack, or a sump that runs all night?
Call and a Broome County waterproofing company will come find where the water is getting in.