Cracked Walls / Bowed Walls

Posted on April 14, 2009 at 11:08 am in

Seasonal and climatic changes can cause problems with your foundation. Hydrostatic pressure, expansive soil or some other problem may cause bowed, buckled or cracked walls.

Cracked walls can be very minor such as one above a lintel or at the join between a bay and the main wall. More worrying cracks are in main walls, and extending for more than one meter or so. The size and shape of the crack is also important. Most experts agree that a crack of less than 5mm is usually unimportant, if there is no sign of bulging or sideways shifting. If the crack is dirty and has cobwebs in and over it, then it is likely to be long-standing and stable.

Cracked walls with cracks in or above lintels or below cills are usually caused by minor settlement. An expert can use ‘tell-tale’ signs to determine if the crack is stable. The lintel can be taken out, the damaged area rebuilt and the lintel re-instated. Cracks where a bay meets the main wall are common; the smaller bay has settled less than the rest of the house. If the crack is less than 5mm and dirty, then no attention is required. Lime mortar can be used to fill the crack if you wish.

Rebuilding the wall is not always necessary and generally doesn’t solve the problem but installing anchors into the wall will not only fix the problem but will also cost less money than replacing it.

Generally installation is complete in one day or less by our trained technicians without disturbance of landscaping. A steel anchor rod is inserted horizontally through the wall into the outside earth. Extenders can be used to get past a deck, patio, sidewalk, etc. A steel anchor is then attached to the rod through a vertical hole in the ground. The rod will be secured on the inside of the wall by a steel wall plate. The Indiana Foundation Wall Anchor System is a cost-effective way to ensure the stability of your cracked walls.

All anchors and related components are manufactured from high quality steel and are hot dip galvanized for long life. Indiana Foundation Manufacturing Co., Inc has over 65 years experience in anchoring cracked walls. The system is engineered to develop holding strength several times the strength of a concrete masonry wall.

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Cleanspace Encapsulation Crawl Space

Posted on April 14, 2009 at 11:06 am in

Why is clean Space Moisture so Bad? Because it’s the moisture that leads to mold growth, musty odors, and structural damage, not to mention that insects and critters love moist environments and energy costs are higher. Moisture ruins houses by providing a hospitable environment for mold, fungi, and insects that destroy wood framing. Clean space moisture, and the mold and mildew that thrive in this environment, affect not only the floor system directly above, but also the entire house.

Most people who own clean spaces and have been down there know just how dangerous and moldy they can be. They are usually filled with mold and small animals. On top of that, there is usually no easy entrance so getting into the clean space alone can be dangerous. Prime time television shows are also talking about how mold kills healthy men in less than a month. Clean spaces do not have to be this way.

The clean space system by Indiana Foundation is ideal for your clean space repair. The major components of the clean space system are:

  • A Clean Space Vapor Barrier that encapsulates your basement and makes your home healthier, cleaner and more energy efficient.
  • A SaniDry Clean Space Dehumidifier that dries out your basement, giving it a cleaner look.
  • Clean Space Vent Covers that provide a clean and easy way to save money on your energy bills, keep excess moisture out of your basement, and create a healthier environment for your family.
  • Clean Space Door that seals off outside air, helping to dry your crawl space and saving you on your heating and cooling bills.

The clean space system by Indiana Foundation Service is the best solution for your crawl space problems. At Indiana Foundation, you will find experience and professionalism beyond your expectations. The clean space products at Indiana Foundation are all developed by permanent basement moisture and environment experts. They are specifically designed to resolve your basement problems.

Indiana Foundation provide better basement solutions than the contractors. Consult basement solutions for your basement problems today, and you will never call your contractor again.

Below you will see several links full of valuable information on why its important to have one of our trained, certified, experts come examine your crawl space and see if your family is safe!

Please choose from the following products below for more information and to schedule time to visit with one of our trained, certified, systems designers. Remember, we do NOT use contractors.

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Foundation Repair

Posted on April 14, 2009 at 11:04 am in

Seasonal and climatic changes can cause problems with your foundation, causing bowed walls. Hydrostatic pressure, expansive soil or some other problem may cause bowed walls. Unstable soils are a basements worst enemy, whether the antagonists are expansive clay or compressible or improperly compacted fill. They launch a sneak attack by leaving foundations unevenly supported, triggering settlement and cracking. They can also barrage basement walls with lateral loads, causing bowed walls. As many homeowners can attest, the battle scars from all of this damage can be devastating to real estate values.

 

Usually, foundations are stressed when pressure is exerted on the outside from the foundation, causing the walls to crack and separate beyond their tensile capacity. If not stopped or properly reinforced, foundations could collapse and no one wants that. Rebuilding the wall is not always necessary and generally doesn’t solve the problem but installing anchors into the wall will not only fix the problem but will cost less money than replacing it. Fortunately, it’s possible to rescue settled foundations by using hydraulically driven piles or piers. But what about those bowed walls? How do you repair bowed walls and salvage their structural strength? How do you prevent further movement without turning the basement into a war zone of steel support beams?

Generally installation is completed in one day or less by our trained technicians without disturbance of landscaping. A steel anchor rod is inserted horizontally through the wall into the outside earth. Extenders can be used to get past a deck, patio, sidewalk, etc. A steel anchor is then attached to the rod through a vertical hole in the ground. The rod will be secured on the inside of the wall by a steel wall plate. The Our Wall Anchor System is a cost-effective way to ensure the stability of your bowed walls.

 

Through extensive research, development, and laboratory-field testing, we have utilized these proven and unsurpassed surface preparation and bonding techniques to resolve issues within the construction industry. Our Wall Anchor System is recommended by home inspectors, FHA, HUD engineers. All anchors and related components are manufactured from high quality steel and are hot dip galvanized for long life. Our Manufacturing Co., Inc has over 65 years of experience in anchoring bowed walls. The system is engineered to develop holding strength several times the strength of a concrete masonry wall.

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Basement Waterproofing

Posted on April 14, 2009 at 11:01 am in

Basement Waterproofing is becoming very popular and widely important. Today, basements are treated as an extension to your home, office or even retail shop. Most basement rooms are large, spacious and extremely useful for various purposes. Whether your basement is commercial or residential, there are certain guidelines that you should follow before you actually transform your basement.

A basement can be a cellar or a crawlspace. Cellars are commonly used to store food and drink in a secure and steadily cool temperature. As property prices increase, cellar conversions are gaining popularity. You can convert a moisturized basement or cellar at a very low cost, and increase your home space as well as the value of your property. This is also the basic reason behind the increasing popularity of cellars.

If you have a home with any type of basement, then you need to be concerned about basement waterproofing. When we go to waterproofing a basement, we make sure that we get all the moisture out and keep it out. Keeping this water out limits the amount of mold in the basement that can make your family sick. It also increases the resale value of your home and gives your family a safe, comfortable place to relax or entertain. We only use patented Basement Systems® products so that we can stand behind our warranty. Our systems are designed to stop water at its source and funnel it out properly. As unfortunate as it is, we are often called in a year or two after other companies finish waterproofing a basement to install our piering or anchor system. This is because an improperly installed system can and will cause structural problems.

 

Modern lifestyles have increased the importance of basement waterproofing to a great extent. Now you can turn an ordinary useless space into your desired luxury place like home gyms, table tennis tables, pool, and swimming pools, home cinemas and even an independent entrance and exit of your choice. You can also create retail outlets, car parks, restaurants, apartments and classrooms through basement conversion or basement remodeling. You can do literally anything after waterproofing your basement; all you need is specialized basement waterproofing solutions that we offer you. After waterproofing your cellars and basements, you can convert them into living rooms, study rooms, recording studios, kitchens and even bathrooms.

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What’s That Smell

Posted on April 14, 2009 at 10:59 am in

What’s that smell? Must and moisture and keeping them out of your home

For millions of homeowners, a trip to the basement or into a crawlspace means an encounter with a dreadful musty stench.  It’s such an unpleasant experience that these valuable areas of the house often go unused.  After making such an investment, you should be able to use every square inch of your house.  And thankfully, there are a number of ways to get rid of that smell, and what’s causing it.

Water and moisture in the basement or crawlspace is at the root of musty odors so to eliminate the smell you need to get rid of the source.  One of the best ways to get water out of your house is the TripleSafe Sump Pump System.  When installed by professionals this system protects homeowners – triply! TripleSafe’s patented design allows its second pump to kick in if the first pump fails and if the amount of water is too great for one pump to handle, the second, more powerful pump will spring into action.  And, even if you experience a power outage, the TripleSafe System is equipped with an UltraSump backup battery.

Moisture in your crawl space can also spell trouble.  In addition to the horrible musty odor, water and moisture lead to the growth of mold and structural damage. The best bet in preventing these problems is to seal off your crawlspace from potential moisture seepage.  CleanSpace Crawlspace Encapsulation System creates a barrier between your space and surrounding moisture and humidity.  It’s also specially treated to inhibit the growth of mold and mildew under the barrier.

One of the most sophisticated systems used to waterproof basements is a combination of WaterGuard coupled with the Triplesafe system.  Waterguard’s effectiveness lies in a drainage channel that takes water out of the soil beneath your basement floor.  When water permeates your walls, it’s immediately funnelled into the WaterGuard system and drained into the TripleSafe pump – never to be seen – or smelled!

When you plan ahead for potential water and moisture issues, you can prevent a huge amount of expense and hassle.  And, you’ll be able to enjoy areas of your home that you may have shut off because of dampness and odor.  Basements can be converted into amazing living spaces and crawlspaces can house things you’d like to get out of the way.  By making an investment in a good water and moisture-proofing system now, you’ll reap the benefits for years to come.

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