How to Repair Cracks to the Side of a House Where it Meets the Ground

Cracks in foundation instill fear in many homeowners. The cracks, however, are often only minor cosmetic issues that are repairable. They occur as the underlying ground freezes and thaws, exerting pressure on the above concrete or stone. By filling in the cracks, you restore the home’s appearance and stop the cracks from spreading. If the foundation cracks are crumbling, bulging or larger than 1/4 inch wide, have them inspected because they may indicate structural issues.

Chisel
Hammer
Wire brush
Tape measure
3-inch long finishing nails
Epoxy injection system: two-part epoxy sealer, port injection flange tubes, liquid epoxy
Putty knife
Caulk gun
Scissors
Screwdriver
Plastic plugs
Hacksaw

Instructions

- 1
  Trace a crack to the location where it ends. Insert a chisel in the center of the crack at that spot, and tap the chisel gently with a hammer to widen the crack to about 1/8 or 1/4 inch. Continue enlarging the crack along its entire length to the ground. Widening the crack allows the repair patch to adhere better than it would otherwise.
- 2
  Brush the crack from top to bottom using a wire brush to dislodge remaining chips.
- 3
  Measure 12 inches from the top of the crack, and insert one 3-inch long finishing nail into the crack until only 1/2 inch of the nail remains exposed. Insert additional 3-inch long finishing nails along the length of the crack every 12 inches.
- 4
  Open an epoxy injection system's two-part epoxy sealer, and mix the two components together with a putty knife as instructed on the epoxy's packaging.
- 5
  Apply the epoxy sealer to the back of each port injection flange tube that came with the epoxy injection system. Slide one tube over each finishing nail you inserted in the crack.
- 6
  Apply epoxy sealer along the entire length of the crack, and use the putty knife to press the sealer in tightly.
- 7
  Insert a tube of liquid epoxy, which came in the epoxy injection system, into a caulk gun. Snip 1/4 inch off the end of the tube with a flat cut using scissors, and then pierce the tube end's inner seal with a screwdriver's shaft.
- 8
  Place the end of the liquid epoxy tube over a port injection flange tube on the wall, and pull the caulk gun’s trigger to insert the liquid epoxy until you see it bead at the opening. Insert a plastic plug in the end of the port injection flange tube to seal it. Repeat the procedure for each port injection flange tube.
- 9
  Wait five days to allow the epoxy to cure, and then cut off all of the port injection flange tubes by using a hacksaw.

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