We Have A Crack in Our Block Foundation, Do You Think The Waterproofing Failed?

Q:

We had our foundation wall replaced, a couple of years later we now see a vertical crack near the corner of the wall do you think the waterproofing has failed?

A:

Most likely the crack is not caused by the waterproofing failing. The only way that you would end up with a crack in the wall like your describing is if the waterproofing failed, water penetrated the block cavity, the temperature dropped, the water froze and broke the block wall.

My question would be why did you have your foundation wall replaced to begin with, if the last wall failed and you had it replaced maybe the real issue was never addressed.

It’s more likely that something has shifted or moved in your foundation. Either the footing has moved underneath the block wall or the backfill is heavy and is pushing on the wall and that is causing stress cracks in the wall.

Because it is a vertical crack near the corner of the building it makes me lean toward that something has moved or shifted in your foundation, either the footing or the wall it’s self.

Before you go and have the foundation excavated or re-waterproofed or have the crack in the block repaired you should have someone investigate why the crack has occurred. This will probably require you to have the foundation dug out around the crack but there are other ways to diagnose foundation issues.

Talk to an expert, you will probably have to pay someone to find out the problem and pay more to have it fixed.

Rob Abbott
Village Builders Inc.