For basement walls, low-pressure injection is the most reliable way to ensure that the crack is completely filled, according to Cole. This method is suitable for filling cracks between 0.002 and 1 inch wide on walls up to 12 inches thick. It can also be used to fill cracks in concrete floors and ceilings.
Epoxy injection
is usually done on dry substrates, while polyurethane injection works best on wet and actively leaking substrates.Epoxy injection is the preferred method when structural crack repair is desired. The question of which product is better depends on the type of crack or gasket and the conditions present at the time of repair. For most standard concrete foundation cracks, any of the systems will work, so the best option is the product with which the contractor has the most experience. This ensures that the product is applied correctly and that the repair is done in the best possible way.
Most injection epoxy resins cure completely within 3-4 hours at a temperature of 77° Fahrenheit or 25° Celsius; although some faster curing epoxy resins have recently been introduced. After the injected resin has completely cured, the ports and epoxy surface seal may be removed for cosmetic reasons. The secret to an effective injection of cracks, whether epoxy or polyurethane foam, is the patient and low-pressure introduction of the liquid polymer into the crack. Tom's Basement Waterproofing professionals consider a few things when looking at cracks in basement walls. Once the epoxy surface seal has hardened, the resin of choice is slowly injected into the lowest port using manual pressure equal to a firm handshake.
Ultimately, the characteristics of the crack to be repaired should dictate the most appropriate injection method. In the case of epoxy, one component is epoxy resin and the second is a hardener; both are mixed together immediately prior to crack injection. After answering these questions and thoroughly examining your basement walls for any other apparent problems, Tom's Basement Waterproofing will decide on epoxy or polyurethane solutions. Wet or actively leaking cracks and joints will often have better results when injecting polyurethane foam. A casual debate will often arise about the use of epoxy or polyurethane foam for repairing cracks and joints in concrete. In fact, because polyurethane resin systems are reactive to moisture, they may actually require that the crack be pre-wetted with a small amount of water to trigger full expansion of the resin.
The components are mixed in the static mixer of the injection pump applicator immediately prior to injecting into cracks. We will compare some of the main characteristics of each type of crack injection, describing their strengths and their range of recommended applications. Polyurethane injection is performed to seal active leaks, prevent moisture migration, and protect structures from water-related corrosion and decay. It is important to note that both epoxy and polyurethane injections can be used effectively for repairing cracks in concrete foundations. The choice between them depends on several factors such as size, location, and severity of damage.
