How to Fix Crawlspace Cracks

Choose the best commercial product for repairs. A hydro-plug product is often best even for small cracks in a crawlspace. Purchase this product at your local home improvement store. This type of cement product expands as it dries quickly, allowing you to work around areas where you find water damage.

Look for cracks on the outside along the foundation. Begin digging alongside any cracks that run low. In some cases, you may have to dig as far as the footing if you have large cracks, but most of the time, you only need to dig a short distance to apply the product effectively. Use a brush to clean the surface of the crack once digging is complete.

Use a chisel and a hammer to pick away at the outer foundation around the crack. Start at the top and work your way down as you chisel an inch off each side of the crack. Try to chisel down as far as you can following the path of the crack. Evening out the surface around the crack helps bind the hydro-plug cement as you cover the crack. Remove any small particles and dust from the entire area using a brush.

Climb inside the crawlspace. Chisel the crack from inside as you did outside, but make sure to extend the work the entire length of the crack this time. Remove dust and debris once this work is complete.

Read the instructions for the hydro-plug cement carefully. Mix only a small amount that you can apply within a few minutes at a time, as this product sets very fast. Mix the correct amount of cement and water into a bucket and stir thoroughly. Use a tarp or drop cloth to protect your floor from spills.

Use a small trowel to apply the hydro-plug cement into the cracks both inside and outside. Start from the top and work slowly downward. Scrape any excess off and smooth out the surface around the crack. Pick up any cement that falls to the floor before it dries.