The appearance of cracks on a façade is something very common. They often appear a few months after the foundation is laid, when the structure solidifies and stabilizes. In the vast majority of cases, these cracks, usually between 0.2 and 2 mm, are not dangerous and only have a visual impact.
Beyond this size, these breaches, which are also called “cracks or crevices”, can be more problematic, even jeopardizing the stability of the edifice. Repairing façade cracks is therefore a priority. Here’s how!
Perform a crack analysis
Before you start repairing a crack on your façade, you must first determine the nature of the crack. Indeed, this breach can come from a loss of waterproofing of your façade or a disturbance in the stability of the building.
If the damage to the façade is caused by the foundation, an inspection by a specialist is recommended. The Fissure Expert Group conducts numerous inspections each year to identify problems that may be related to the foundation. Thanks to our foundation repair service, we will be able to correct these defects to limit the appearance of new cracks on your facades and avoid the costs they incur.
And what about the cracks in the façade?
In addition to the causes that can lead to the appearance of cracks on the facades of your home, it is also necessary to carry out repairs to the latter.
The first step is to determine the type of breach. If this crack is likely to grow, it may be an active crack that needs to be repaired. These are often located at junctions of the wall.
Otherwise, it’s called an inert crack that won’t change over time. Internal crevices with an amplitude of less than 0.5 mm can even be left as they are.
The urgency of the repair may also be related to water infiltration or the risk of future water infiltration. But rest assured, a crack cannot pose a risk of a part of the wall falling unless it has been present for a long time and has finally materialized the outline of a non-adherent part of the wall.
Which product should you choose?
Whatever treatment is used to repair the crack, it must be suitable for the type of material, size and types of cracks and, of course, compatible with the coating. In any case, you must follow the instructions for use of the product and the conditions of use.
To seal your crack, you can choose between polyurethane and epoxy. The former offers an effective solution for waterproofing cracks in concrete. The second has a much greater resistance capacity, but it is mainly used for large structures (bridges, tunnels or dams, etc.).
For a house façade, we therefore advise you to use polyurethane foam, which is both insulating and very sticky.
Repairing a façade crack: a few steps to follow
To effectively repair a crack, the breach must first be opened and cleaned. This means removing all dirt and non-adherent parts.
Using a spray gun, gracefully induce the crack with the product or sealant you have chosen beforehand. Then smooth the product with a sponge to avoid smudging.
Don’t hesitate to install reinforcement in the crack to prevent it from reappearing on your façade. Let it dry and recoat the front panel if removed.
Finally, apply the cladding to cover the façade and make a quality finish.
Keep an eye out for cracks and call us if you need to
Repairing a façade crack rarely requires emergency intervention, only it should be monitored regularly. Knowing your foundation and the type of cracks is essential to repairing them and to ensure that the façade of your home is not at risk, trust a professional. If you want help with these operations, trust our team of professionals. We have a perfect command of the techniques used to carry out reliable and long-lasting façade crack repairs .
Contact us if you have any doubts about the condition of your foundations or if the state of the damage to your façade seems abnormal.
Need a Crack Repair Expert?
If you notice cracks on your foundation, it is important to act quickly. Fissure Expert offers professional foundation crack injection services throughout Quebec. Call a certified foundation crack contractor for a free estimate. We serve Longueuil, Gatineau, Laval and many other cities.