Which foundation cracks need repair
Any crack that lets water in needs sealing. Cracks that grow wider, run sideways along a block wall, step diagonally through mortar joints or come with a wall leaning inward point to soil pressure and need a structural repair instead.
- Thin vertical crack in poured concreteUsually shrinkage; seal it if it leaks.
- Horizontal crack in blockOften pressure from wet soil; see bowing wall repair.
- Stair-step crack along mortar jointsWatch for movement and measure it.
- Crack wider at the top or bottomSettlement or pressure; get it looked at.
How a waterproofing job works with us
Send the form
Your name and phone first, then the address and a few details about the water or the wall.
We get back to you
We call you back to talk through what you're seeing and pick a time to come out.
We inspect and quote
We look at the basement and the outside of the house, show you where the water is getting in, then write up a price.
You decide
The method, the schedule and any permit are settled with you before work starts.
The inspection and the written estimate are free, and you're under no obligation to go ahead.
Get a foundation crack repair quote
Crack injection vs drainage at the wall base
Poured walls and block walls leak differently, so they get different repairs.
| Injection from inside | Drainage at the base of the wall | |
|---|---|---|
| Wall type | Poured concrete | Concrete block |
| How it works | Epoxy or polyurethane is injected so it fills the crack through the full thickness of the wall | An interior drain, or excavation and an exterior membrane |
| Why | The crack is the only path through solid concrete | Water travels through the hollow cores, so sealing one joint often just moves the leak |
When the crack comes with movement, the wall is braced, anchored or rebuilt first and sealed after.
Why do foundation cracks leak more in Medina County?
The clay-rich till under much of the county drains slowly and stays wet for months. USDA descriptions of common local soils such as Mahoning put a perched water table within about a foot of the surface from October through June. A crack that stays dry in August can run water every March.
Permits for foundation crack repair
What to tell us about the crack
- A photo of the crack with a tape measure beside it
- Whether the wall is poured concrete or block
- When water comes through
- Whether the crack has grown since you last marked its ends
That tells us whether to bring injection gear or plan a structural visit.
Foundation Crack Repair questions
Are vertical cracks in a basement wall normal?
Can I fix a foundation crack myself?
How do I know if a crack is structural?
Get a foundation crack repair quote in Medina
Send your name and phone number, then the address and where the water shows up. We'll call you back to set up an inspection.