FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Poured Wall Repair - Crack Injection
What is the best repair method for a cracked poured concrete basement wall?
Why do surface repairs using hydraulic cement, caulks, coatings, or patching always fail?
How does crack injection work?
How long will a crack injection repair last?
When should epoxy be used and when should urethane be used?
How can I tell if the crack needs structural repair?
What if the crack is very small?
Why does concrete crack?
When do cracks in concrete occur?
Can a crack in concrete grow?
Does a crack in a concrete wall that is not leaking need repair?
What is "stapling” a crack and how important is it?
I have two vertical cracks in a basement wall and I've been told I need a "complete drain tile system." Do I have to spend thousands of dollars to keep my basement dry?
Will a low pressure injection work on my cracked BLOCK foundation wall?
Do you recommend injecting the leaking joint between my poured wall and the concrete slab?
Slab Repair for Cracked:
Driveways, Pool Decks, Garage and Basement Floors, Patios
How does Emecole 555 work?
Is Emecole 555 an epoxy?
Will 555 Permanently Repair a Crack?
Does Emecole 555 work as well as similar products priced as much as two times higher?
How long will I have to wait before putting on a topcoat?
Does Emecole 555 work in freezing temperatures?
What color is Emecole 555 when it cures and will it match my basement floor?
Reinforcement for Bowed Block and Poured Wall Foundations
Carbon Fiber Kevlar Straps, Staples, Neckties and Carbon Tow/Stitching Dogs
Why use Carbon Kevlar Staples for stitching concrete cracks?
Is the use of Carbon Fiber Reinforcement in the building code?
Will carbon fiber straighten a wall?
Can I install Carbon Fiber Strap Reinforcements myself?
Battery Operated Emergency Back Up Sump Pumps
Why do I need a Battery Operated Back Up Sump Pump?
What size Battery Back Up System should I have installed?
Where can I find additional information on battery back up sump systems?
Primary Sump Pumps
I have the original builder supplied sump pump and am wondering when it should be replaced?
My home doesn’t have a sump pump, do I need one?
What should I consider when purchasing a new primary pump?
What can cause a primary sump pump to fail and what are the consequences?
Batteries Used in Emergency Back Up Pump Systems
What is an AGM battery?
Why are AGM batteries better than standard batteries?
Are AGM and Gel batteries the same?
Emecole Products
Why is Emecole 302 the best all around surface seal and port adhesive?
When fixing short cracks should I use Emecole 455 Surface Seal?
I need to remove the surface seal for appearance reasons Is Emecole 322 Seal-n-Peel the best choice?
I repair cracks in public buildings and need a low or no odor surface seal should I use Emecole 901 or Emecole 455?
Why is Emecole 301 White or Emecole 322 Seal-N-Peel typically used for swimming pool cracks?
How many feet of crack will a tube set of surface seal typically cover?
What are the differences between Emecole 101 and Emecole 121 Fast injection epoxies?
Why do you have so many different viscosities of Emecole 101 and 121 Fast injection epoxy?
Can Emecole 121 Fast Systems be mixed by hand?
Should I choose Emecole 121MV 32 Degree injection epoxy when temperatures will be near freezing?
Why is Emecole 102 the best low pressure urethane injection resin for residential and commercial concrete basement wall crack repair applications?
Poured Wall Repair - Crack Injection
What is the best repair method for a cracked poured concrete basement wall?
A low pressure injection using either epoxy or polyurethane resin is the best method. While there are numerous ways to temporarily patch cracks, to get a permanent repair you must do two things: stop moisture penetration from the outside and eliminate or accommodate any wall movement. Low pressure injections are done from inside the basement. The procedure will fill the crack from front to back and bottom to top thus completely sealing the crack. In addition, when using urethane foam, you will fill any void behind the crack.
Why do surface repairs using hydraulic cement, caulks, coatings, or patching always fail?
These types of repairs consistently fail within a short amount of time. Expansion and contraction movement of the wall, though minimal, causes these repairs to shadow crack and leak again. Low pressure urethane and epoxy grout injections are permanent repairs since the crack within the wall is completely filled, not just the surface.
How does crack injection work?
A two part liquid resin is allowed to flow under low pressure into the crack in the wall from inside the basement. This resin is introduced into the crack through small ports glued over the crack. The resin travels all the way through the wall to the outside where the concrete wall meets the dirt. The polymer chemically reacts and then solidifies filling the space within the crack. The ports can be easily removed in a day or two.
How long will a crack injection repair last?
Crack injection when properly installed will last the life of the structure.
When should epoxy be used and when should urethane be used?
Both urethane and epoxy can be used to stop water. Urethane has the advantage of expansion allowing for filling potential voids both within and beyond the wall. Expansion also prevents the product from leaking out of the crack before it cures and fills more thoroughly. Repairs that are structural require the use of epoxy.
How can I tell if the crack needs structural repair?
Signs of structural cracks include horizontal cracks, cracks ½” or greater, significantly wider at the top than the bottom, and offset cracks. These are just a few of signs of structural damage. If there is any question of structural problems an engineer or a professional repair contractor should be called.
What if the crack is very small?
It is rare that a crack is so small it cannot be injected with Emecole's crack injection system. Cracks which are barely visible to the naked eye are good candidates for crack injection.
Why does concrete crack?
Cracks in concrete are primarily due to shrinkage during cure and other construction practices when the house is built. Settling, structural overload and earthquakes are other examples. Almost all basements will eventually develop cracks in a wall.
When do cracks in concrete occur?
Most cracks develop within the first two years after the structure is poured.
Can a crack in concrete grow?
Yes. Freezing, thawing, pressures from expansive soils and changes in moisture content in surroundings areas are a few of the reasons that cause cracks in concrete to grow or move.
Does a crack in a concrete wall that is not leaking need repair?
Cracks will continue to deteriorate over time due to moisture penetration and soil pressure against walls. It is recommended that all cracks be repaired prior to finishing a basement or storing valuable items there.
What is "stapling” a crack and how important is it?
Stapling is the process of installing carbon fiber reinforcements on the wall across the crack that is being injected with epoxy. The carbon fiber staples are installed with epoxy securing them place. This reinforcement procedure prevents the foundation crack from ever breaking again, even when the ground freezes and pushes against the wall. It is the preferred choice of repair when structural factors are believed to be cause of crack. The carbon fiber significantly improves the structural strength of the concrete where it is needed.
I have two vertical cracks in a basement wall and I've been told I need a "complete drain tile system." Do I have to spend thousands of dollars to keep my basement dry?
Run, don’t walk, to your phone and call a qualified concrete crack injection applicator for an estimate, it you have a poured concrete wall and not a concrete block wall.
Will a low pressure injection work on my cracked block foundation wall?
No, blocks are hollow and porous. A local waterproofing applicator can recommend alternate methods of repair.
Do you recommend injecting the leaking joint between my poured wall and the concrete slab?
No. The floor cove should not leak unless the drain tile is blocked or the sump pump is not working properly. Occasionally short distances along the cove are injected with urethane to hopefully divert the water back into the drain field. This is assuming that the drain tile is not blocked.
Slab Repair
Driveways, Pool Decks, Garage and Basement Floors, Patios
How does Emecole 555 work?
The polymer is an extremely thin liquid that completely penetrates concrete slab cracks even when using dry sand as recommended. The product cures extremely fast preventing run out loss through the bottom of the slab.
Is Emecole 555 an epoxy?
No, unlike epoxy, Emecole 555 cures within 15 minutes, even in small cracks. This means that repairs can be made the very same day that overlays are applied. It is also much thinner than epoxy formulations making it much easier for gravity feed dispensing from easy to use dual cartridges.
Will 555 Permanently Repair a Crack?
Emecole 555 has a tensile strength of 4000psi. It effectively chemically welds the concrete back together. If additional reinforcement is required consider using Carbon Tow Stitching Dogs. Emecole 555 should never be used in control or construction joints.
Does Emecole 555 work as well as similar products priced as much as two times higher?
Emecole, Inc. formulates, packages, and sells its own products allowing us to price very competitively.
How long will I have to wait before putting on a topcoat?
Topcoats can be applied in as little as 15 minutes making same day overlay jobs a reality.
Does Emecole 555 work in freezing temperatures?
Yes. Emecole 555 is an ideal repair material for slab cracks in larger walk in freezer and refrigerated warehouses. Unlike epoxies the product will cure at temperatures below 32F.
What color is Emecole 555 when it cures and will it match my basement floor?
Cured Emecole 555 neat is an amber color that will darken and change over time with UV exposure. The sand used in the repair will affect the final color and can be adjusted to make changes. Of course color is not relevant when the repair is done in conjunction with an overlay.
Reinforcement use for Bowed Block and Poured Foundations
Carbon Fiber Kevlar Straps, Staples, Neckties and Stitching Dogs
Why use Carbon Kevlar Staples for stitching concrete cracks?
Every structural injection repair can use staples. It is long-term creep and fatigue along with movement of the foundation that may cause injections to fail over time. By cross-stitching cracks repaired with staples, creep is eliminated and long-term performance of repair material improved. Think in terms of 3 roof repair options giving a 10 yr, 20 yr or 30 yr warranty vs. the cost for quality.
Is the use of Carbon Fiber Reinforcement in the building code?
Yes. However the original ICBO codes are and have been changing based on new codes and ACI 440 Technical Guidelines. Therefore only a very few manufacturers have across the board approval. This is actually a good thing as our systems have upgraded dramatically over the last seven years, so approvals are based on outdated systems. All Emecole supplied Fortress products are manufactured and meet ACI Guidelines as well as ASTM Standards. The most common test method is ASTM D-3039.
Will carbon fiber straighten a wall?
The simple answer is no, and most ways of straightening walls require excavation. Tie-backs may, over a period of time, straighten walls to a certain degree. Tie-backs tend to creep or loosen and may punch through and twist a masonry wall when tightened. So the required tightening of tie-backs every 6 months is adjusting the grip that can loosen. The lamination of carbon fiber will hold the wall in its current deflection or can be applied after straightening to hold the wall in place and strengthen the foundation.
Can I install Carbon Fiber Strap Reinforcements myself?
Reinforcing bowed block or poured walls and the installation of Carbon Fiber requires specialized training and tools. This is a job best left to experts fully qualified to evaluate the causes for the foundations failure and the best methods for its restoration.
Battery Operated Emergency Back Up Sump Pumps
Why do I need a Battery Operated Back Up Sump Pump
Every homeowner with a sump pump should consider installing a batter operated back up sump system. In addition to power failure, primary pumps often fail due to mechanical problems, switch failure or inability to keep up with excess incoming water flow during a storm. A good back up system offers flood protection for everything in your basement or crawl space.
What size Battery Back Up System should I have installed?
When selecting a back up pump system the homeowner or contractor should select a pump that meets or exceeds the performance of the primary pump. A lower capacity back up system should only be considered if the primary pump seldom functions even during a major storm. This is usually not the case.
Where can I find morel information on battery back up sump systems?
See the technical article at http://emecole.com/concrete_repair_pump_article_3.pdf for additional important information on sump pumps, back up systems and the number one reason for basement flooding.
Primary Sump Pumps
I have the original builder supplied sump pump and am wondering when it should be replaced?
Builders often install a less quality pump to keep costs down. It may have a lower pumping capacity and may not meet the heavy duty specifications required for a sump system. Consider replacing it with a heavy duty AC primary pump with the capacity to handle major storms for many years.
My home doesn’t have a sump pump, do I need one?
Most likely not, many older houses built without pumps have storm drainage diverted to sewers or outside drain areas. If you live in a hilly area you may have sump pit that “drains to light” or in other words gravity drains to outside. Nearly all new houses are built with pumps which are critical to keeping the water table at a safe level under the basement floor.
What should I consider when purchasing a new primary pump?
A good heavy duty AC pump should be selected since a light duty pump motor can easily burn out. The rated capacity needs to be sufficient enough to discharge incoming water faster than it enters the sump pit. Think of a worst case situation such as a significant rain storm. Consider pumps with an externally mounted float switch that is easily replaced in case of failure. This type of set up also allows for reducing the amount of times a pump turns on and off resulting in longer pump motor and switch life. A piggy-backed switch offers the additional advantage of a manual override in case of switch failure.
What can cause a primary sump pump to fail and what are the consequences?
There are several reasons primary pumps can fail leading to basement flooding, including age, power outage, switch failure, and capacity or size too low for the volume of water needing discharge. For more information see the technical discussion at http://emecole.com/concrete_repair_pump_article_3.pdf.
Batteries Used in Emergency Back Up Pump Systems
What is an AGM battery?
AGM (Absorption Glass Mat) sealed battery technology was originally developed for military aircraft where power, weight, safety, and reliability were paramount considerations. AGM technology has become the next step in the evolution of both starting and deep cycle sealed batteries delivering increased safety, performance and service life over all other existing sealed battery types.
Why are AGM batteries better than standard batteries?
AGM batteries have significant advantages over standard batteries since they last longer, require no maintenance, and are safer. They have a very low self-discharge rate and can sit in storage for much longer periods with out charging. They are “recombinant” which means that oxygen and hydrogen recombine inside the battery eliminating the need for periodic water addition. The acid is contained in glass mats eliminating leakage even if broken. AGM batteries are a better choice than standard lead acid batteries for use with battery back up sump systems.
Are AGM and Gel batteries the same?
They are not the same. Gelled batteries need to be charged at slower rates to prevent gas from damaging the cells. Additionally, overcharging gel batteries causes voids resulting in a loss in battery capacity. AGM batteries are a better choice than Gel batteries for use with battery back up systems.
Emecole Products
Why is Emecole 302 the best all around surface seal and port adhesive?
Emecole 302 has been formulated to have low odor, is non sagging, has a long work time and yet is rapid curing. The price is typically much lower than other surface seal formulations.
When fixing short cracks why should I use Emecole 455 Surface Seal?
Emecole 455 is the fastest curing surface seal available and is ideal for shorter cracks since its speed of cure minimizes applicator down time prior to injection. Many applicators also find it practical to use on larger or typical cracks, taking advantage of its outstanding strength (use can use less) and exceptional cure speed.
I need to remove the surface seal for appearance reasons. Is Emecole 322 Seal-n-Peel the best choice?
Emecole 322 Seal-n-Peel is the ideal surface seal for applications where appearance is important such as built in concrete pools or new but unfinished cracked basement walls. It is easy to remove following initial cure of the injection resin by peeling away from concrete surfaces. No need for messy and time consuming grinding, burning or chipping as with regular surface seal products.
I repair cracks in public buildings and need a surface seal with low odor. Should I use Emecole 901 or Emecole 455?
Emecole 901 and 455 both have very low odor and either would be a good choice for your application. Choose economical Emecole 901 if you have more than just a few feet needing sealing since it has a longer set up time. If speed of cure is important, select Emecole 455. Another low odor sealer to consider is Emecole 355 Seal-N-Peel, especially if finished appearance is important.
Why is Emecole 301 White or Emecole 322 Seal-N-Peel typically used for swimming pool cracks?
The easiest surface seal to remove is Emecole 322 as it can be “pealed” from the concrete surface, ports and all, as soon as the injection resin has set up. If the pool surface is going to be refinished and grinding or chipping is not a problem, consider using Emecole 301 White.
How many feet of concrete cracks will a tube set of surface seal typically cover?
A tube set of surface seal will cover approximately 10ft of crack. Tube sets are sold in cases of six and will thus cover about 60ft per case.
What are the differences between the newest Emecole 121 Fast injection epoxy and Emecole 101?
Emecole 121 is a second generation epoxy formulation unique in that it rapidly thickens to a non-flowing condition within 10-20 minutes of injecting. This feature minimizes traditional “epoxy leak out” the back or bottom of the crack dramatically reducing the amount of epoxy required for a given repair. Call back repairs are reduced since more epoxy remains in the crack. Another advantage is the 1:1 mix ratio that makes for better and more thorough mixing through a static mixer. This means the chances of injecting unmixed “A” or “B” into the crack that can cause leaks is minimized.
Why are there so many different viscosities of Emecole 121 Fast and Emecole 101 injection epoxy?
Emecole epoxies range from a very thin or low viscosity ( LV) formula effective for penetrating hairline cracks and includes medium viscosity (MV) and high viscosity (HV) for wider cracks. Emecole’s thickest epoxy is a Paste with a gel consistency that flows under low pressure for cracks ¼” or wider. The gel stops flowing when injection pressure is removed.
Can Emecole 121 Fast Systems be mixed by hand?
The Emecole 121 Fast Systems are designed to thicken rapidly (even in a thin film, as in a crack) to prevent leaking out behind a wall crack during injections. These systems are specifically designed to rapidly react and need to be meter/mixed through a static mixer using either dual cartridges or a dispensing machine. They should not be hand-mixed in quantities greater than 10-20 grams or they will rapidly generate excessive exothermic heat and can degrade.
Should I choose Emecole 121MV 32 Degree injection epoxy when temperatures will be near freezing?
Unlike other epoxy products, this formula is suitable for curing at temperatures as low as 32 degrees F.
Why is Emecole 102 the best low pressure urethane injection resin for residential and commercial concrete basement wall crack repair applications?
Emecole 102 has been specially formulated to have a combination of unique strengths compared to standard urethanes. The viscosity is very low for easy penetration into even the smallest of hairline cracks. The foaming time has been slowed so that liquid Emecole 102 resin has more time to flow into and through the crack before thickening. Emecole 102 has the capacity to expand up to 30 times its original volume that is useful for filling any unseen honey comb areas within the wall. It also fills voids in those areas beyond the wall and outside the foundation where water has eroded the backfill. In the confined areas within the crack itself, there is actually very little expansion and Emecole 102 cures to a tough, flexible, permanent membrane.
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