Foundation analysis and repair design
Permanent structural crack bonding
Bowing wall stabilization systems
Written coverage on all repair work
Not every crack you find in your foundation wall signals a structural problem, but every crack deserves a professional evaluation because the consequences of misclassifying a structural crack as cosmetic are serious. Our assessment process includes measuring crack width at multiple points, documenting the orientation precisely, checking for horizontal displacement at the crack face, and reviewing the soil and drainage conditions outside the wall. The result is a categorization of the crack as cosmetic, water-entry, or structural -- each with a different repair recommendation.
Horizontal foundation cracks are the category that demands the most urgent attention. A horizontal crack in a concrete block or poured wall indicates that the wall is being pushed inward by lateral earth pressure -- the weight of saturated soil and the force of frost heave pressing against the foundation from outside. Unlike vertical shrinkage cracks, horizontal cracks indicate that the wall is actively deflecting and will continue to do so unless the lateral force is counteracted. Walls that deflect more than one inch from plumb are approaching the threshold at which conventional repair methods may no longer be adequate and more extensive structural remediation may be required. Carbon fiber reinforcement applied to a horizontally cracked wall at the right stage of deflection stops further movement and allows the wall to carry its design loads without progressing to failure.
Epoxy injection and polyurethane injection are the two primary methods for sealing and structurally repairing cracks in poured concrete walls. Epoxy injection produces a bond that is actually stronger than the surrounding concrete, making it the correct choice for cracks where structural re-bonding of the two faces is the goal. The process involves drilling a series of small ports along the crack at intervals calculated to ensure complete penetration, installing surface-mounted injection ports, sealing the visible crack face between ports with epoxy paste, and pumping two-component structural epoxy resin under low pressure until it fully fills the void and appears at adjacent ports. The resin cures within the crack to a solid, high-strength bond that is permanent and fully water-resistant.
Bowing walls in block construction represent a specific category of damage where the masonry units have displaced outward of plumb due to lateral soil pressure. Depending on the degree of bowing, repair options range from carbon fiber strap reinforcement that stops further movement to wall anchor systems that attach to stable soil beyond the active failure zone and provide a mechanical load path that reduces the net lateral pressure on the wall. Our structural assessment determines which approach is appropriate based on the measured deflection, the soil conditions, and the construction history of the wall.
From hairline seepage cracks to structural horizontal cracking, we have the right fix.
Every epoxy injection job is documented with before-and-after photos and a report of injection pressures and resin volumes consumed to verify full crack penetration.
Polyurethane injection is the correct choice for actively weeping cracks where water presence would compromise epoxy adhesion -- the foam reacts with moisture to accelerate its cure and seal the void from the inside out.
We calculate strap spacing and quantity based on the measured deflection, wall height, and soil pressure conditions at each job so the reinforcement is engineered for your specific wall rather than generically applied.
Where bowing wall deflection exceeds the threshold for carbon fiber repair alone, a wall anchor system provides mechanical resistance by connecting the deflecting wall to stable soil beyond the active failure zone through a tension rod and plate assembly.
Severe stair-step cracking that indicates ongoing settlement is evaluated for root cause before repair so we are not sealing a crack that will reopen as the movement continues.
The joint where a poured concrete wall meets the footing is a construction cold joint that is prone to opening as the wall and footing settle and move at slightly different rates, creating a direct water pathway into the basement.
We measure every crack for width, orientation, and displacement, review the soil and drainage context, and classify each crack by type and severity before recommending any repair method.
Written scope defines every material, method, and warranty term before you approve any work so there are no surprises on the invoice.
Carbon fiber installations include verification of bond strength and strap spacing against the engineered design before the job is signed off.
A written warranty is issued on project completion, covering the repair against reoccurrence under normal conditions for the warranty period stated in your contract.
The carbon fiber repair on our bowing wall was completed in one day and was far less invasive than we expected. No excavation, no major interior disruption. The crew was professional and explained every step of the process.
I was told by two contractors that my diagonal cracks were just cosmetic. JCB Waterproofing and Construction measured the crack width at three points and showed me they were widening. The epoxy injection repair was completed cleanly and the cracks have been stable for over a year.
I appreciated that they did not try to upsell me on a full drain system when crack injection was the right fix for my situation. They solved the actual problem and the repair has held completely.
Don't let a small crack become a structural emergency. Contact JCB Waterproofing and Construction for a written evaluation and quote in Lebanon, OR.
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