Foundation Wall Crack Repair - Vertical Cracks

Vertical cracks in a foundation occur most often due to poor construction practice or when foundation concrete shrinks and cures. These cracks are common in both newly constructed homes and in older ones. While vertical wall cracks in the foundation do not often lead to structural issues as often as horizontal cracks, they commonly leak water from the foundation outside into the basement or crawl space area. In fact, this water flow can be so heavy that some customers call in saying that water was literally squirting into the house!

The unfortunate truth of the matter is that no one wants to buy a home with a leaking foundation wall crack. Certainly, no one wishes to live in a home with foundation water! Damaged or deteriorating foundation walls lead to a great deal of problems for homeowners and their bank accounts. Foundation soil water entering into a basement will cause a home to be difficult (if not impossible) to sell and will cause the home to lose 10% or more of its value. This means that with a 0,000 home, the value will suffer by ,000! The problem will only worsen with time as more water rushes through the crack and the forces of nature open the crack even wider.

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Home Foundation Repair

Do-it-yourself wall crack solutions are not the answer. In many cases, homeowners will attempt to repair the problem simply by adding caulk in the gaps. With a caulk seal, efflorescence will build up as water fills the crack up to the caulking and cause this plug to peel off. Additionally, if the crack isn't clean, the caulk will bond to the dirt instead of the cement, which will weaken its effectiveness. Of course, the seal will work for a little while, but if you want to fix the problem so your foundation wall never leaks, this isn't the answer.

Filling a wall crack with hydraulic cement or other rigid substances is also doomed to failure. The problem here is that while the hole is plugged, the problem (foundation water pressing in from the outside) still exists. Over time, as the foundation swells and shrinks with changes in temperature and moisture, the movement will work the plug loose. Foundation leaking will often begin again in about two years.

In cases where epoxy is used, the seal may still hold, but its rigidity will cause the wall to simply crack again nearby as it continues to expand and contract. Additionally, epoxy tends to cure very slowly, and it may actually run out from the other side of the crack before completely hardening. The surface to which the epoxy is added must be completely dry so it may form a proper bond. Alternatively, urethane seals work somewhat better because they're flexible and expandable, but cracks can easily shift and expand over 100% in time, which is far beyond the ability of this material to stretch.

Dirty Work

Another possible way to repair a leaking foundation wall crack is from the outside. To do this, you'll have to dig straight down the foundation and uncover the entire wall crack. Hopefully, there's no sidewalk, bush, garden, front steps, or anything else in the way of the area where the crack is located or they will need to be removed. If there's a porch, deck, or outside stairs in the way, you'll have to work around it somehow or remove it as well. Digging out the dirt will leave mounds in your yard and create a mess, and as the dirt is backfilled back in, it will be more porous and water-absorbent than ever. While the multiple layers of synthetic waterproof materials you install will often be effective in solving the problem, if there is ever a failure on the seal, the entire process will have to be repeated. Also, you will have to regrade the soil that was excavated over the next year to prevent it from pooling around the foundation and adding to the problem.

Foundation Wall Crack Repair - Vertical Cracks

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How To Repair Your Car's Power Windows

As you're driving down the turnpike and approaching the tollbooth, you reach for the switch to lower your window and nothing happens. The switch moves but the window does not budge. Not even a noise from the window motor can be heard which strongly suggests to you that the device is not functioning. You must stop your car and open up the door to pay the attendant before continuing on your trip. Thoughts of an expensive car repair bill are dancing through your head, putting you in a foul mood and tempering the anticipated fun of your getaway weekend. Don't despair: you can repair the power window yourself and save a bundle over expensive dealership charges. Let's take a look at the steps you can take to fix the problem yourself and save a lot of cash in the process.

Before assuming that the window regulator must be replaced you should first rule out the possibility of dirty electrical contacts. On most cars the main power for all switches goes through the master switch located at the driver's console. Sometimes the switch is dirty causing the window to malfunction. If this is the case, take the necessary steps to clean the contact and your problem should be resolved.

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Should you determine that the contacts are clean and your switch is functioning, then it is likely that the motor has burned out and is in need of replacing. Whether you are installing a Honda window regulator or a Volkswagen window regulator, or a regulator for any other make the steps involved in replacing a window regulator are usually quite similar:

1. Remove the door panel for the affected window.

2. Locate and remove the bolts holding the regulator to the door; it is likely you will have to manually lower the window in order to access the bolts.

3. Remove the old regulator, disconnect all wiring, and replace the old regulator with a new one you have purchased from a parts supplier. Shop online to find the best value as you will pay a mint if you order one through a dealership.

4. Tighten the bolts holding the new regulator and reinstall the moisture barrier. Make sure all the wires are put back in the door before closing the door panel.

5. Engage the power window switch and the new regulator should work unimpeded.

Of course, follow your car's repair manual for specific instructions.

I've given to you a general outline to convince you that this is a task that even a novice mechanic can handle - in other words: you can do it! By handling the problem yourself, you'll save plenty of money by avoiding garages who will mark up the replacement part as well as tack on several hours of labor costs to your bill. Shop online to compare prices and to receive the best shipping and handling arrangements available.

How To Repair Your Car's Power Windows

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A Few Helpful Hints For Performing DIY Garage Door Repair

Having a professional come and perform garage door repair can be quite expensive and time-consuming. In order to avoid additional bills such as these, the following article is compiled of a few steps for making minor repairs. Additionally performing proper maintenance on the hardware will help to prevent future problems from occurring.

The first thing to look at when an assembly is not opening and closing correctly is the track system which is the set of rails the enclosure moves on. The metal guides are secured to the wall and also to the overhead rafters. The overhead pieces are generally set at a slight downward angle where the wall mount guides are flush.

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Check the rails to make sure they are properly secured and not lose, if they are loose they can cause the guides to become misaligned. Next check to see if the rails are damaged in any way such as bent areas, if there are bent areas take a mallet and pound them straight again. If there are no damaged areas and the screws are all tight, a check to make sure the rails are level is the next course of action.

When repairs have been made take some cleaner and remove any dirt and debris from the runners to ensure the wheels will roll smoothly. Once everything is cleaned, take some lubricant that is designed for this assembly and apply it evenly to both sides. This will provide the lubrication the wheels require to successfully traverse the tracks during opening and closing operations.

Another part to inspect are the rollers that are attached to the hinges, these are the designed to guide the enclosure up and down the tracks. If one of the rollers is broken or worn out it can cause the whole assembly to not open or close correctly. While checking the rollers, examine the hinges as well and make sure they are securely fastened.

The springs also need to be examined and if the tension is not tight enough the spring can be adjusted manually. A few different types of springs are used, if the spring system has a spring cable and pulley design the string will need to be pulled out further and re-tied to provide more tension. If the spring is located in the center of the opening and is the only spring for the whole unit then a professional should be called in to adjust it.

Performing proper maintenance will not only save money in the future it will also provide added peace of mind for a job well done. Maintenance includes checking all the hardware at least once every other month to ensure everything is still tight. Also regularly cleaning tracks of debris along with making sure they and the rollers are properly lubricated will help to make sure the assembly continues working for many years to come.

Garage door repair is one of the easiest projects that can be performed by a homeowner. The important thing to remember is safety first and foremost. By practicing safety the project will go smoothly and be completed the first time out.

A Few Helpful Hints For Performing DIY Garage Door Repair

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