HawthorneVillager.com

Like most newer built houses, my basement floor has several cracks (some hairline, some 3-4mm wide). I think they've stabilized now so I'm looking to get them filled. Ideally I would like them injected to make sure they are water tight rather than just using one of those surface epoxy kits found at HD.

Has anyone had this done? Cost? Reputable contractor?

Many thanks.

Provided your sump is doing it's job you should not need to worry about those cracks leaking BUT, that does not mean you should not fill them if they bother you.

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For Home Inspection services call Andy Shaw at Halton Home Inspection Service. 905 876 4761

Yeah they're not leaking, but I do think they are not helping the overall moisture issues of basements. I run a dehumidifier in the summer and it pretty much has to run 24/7 or the relative humidity will creep up around 60% in the basement (subsequently causing higher humidity levels in the rest of the house). Sealing the cracks also helps with little insects from coming up through the slab.

Have you / or do you close the Air Return in the basement. If so you need to open it. Other than removing heat from your home, the AC is also a giant dehumidifier and if your Air Return in the basement is closed then it can not remove humidity from that area.

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For Home Inspection services call Andy Shaw at Halton Home Inspection Service. 905 876 4761

My main return stays open all year, and I keep 2 of 4 registers open to balance.

Perfect

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For Home Inspection services call Andy Shaw at Halton Home Inspection Service. 905 876 4761

Mattamy rule of thumb is (or was) if you can fit a quarter in the crack, then it needs to be filled. If thinner then a quarter it' is fine.

Well it's never a Mattamy decision to make, it's a Tarion warranty issue. Tarion guideline for repair under warranty is 6mm+.

4mm
http://www.tarion.com/Warranty-Protecti ... r%20cracks

John Allingham
Owner & Certified Home Inspector
Halton-Peel Home Inspection
(416) 254-5869
inspect@peelhomeinspection.com
http://www.peelhomeinspection.com

Thanks! I just remeasured the cracks and most are 1-1.5mm with one larger one at 2mm. Maybe I should just live with them, seeing as though Tarion wouldn't have considered them an issue even if I was within the warranty period.

No problem. You may want to consider just sealing them with grey caulk. That will reduce Radon entry into the basement, not that we're in a high Radon area anyway.

John Allingham
Owner & Certified Home Inspector
Halton-Peel Home Inspection
(416) 254-5869
inspect@peelhomeinspection.com
http://www.peelhomeinspection.com

I think that's exactly what I'm going to do. The minimal amount of radon, moisture, and bugs will be reduced and it will look a lot nicer I suppose.

Do bugs really come through 2mm cracks in the concrete floor? Are there really so many insects living down in 6+ feet of clay?

I think your insect infestation is likely coming from somewhere else.

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Maybe from the sump pit. Some are pretty nasty.

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For Home Inspection services call Andy Shaw at Halton Home Inspection Service. 905 876 4761

It's not an infestation. Just normal small bugs that every basement finds (spiders, etc.). They could be coming from anywhere really, but often you will find small voids under the slab, so yes it's entirely possible for small bugs to come up through.