Tried to fix a small crack in my Tremont basement wall myself

I bought some hydraulic cement from the hardware store on Clark Avenue and thought it would be a quick patch job. After I applied it, the crack actually got a little wider over the next two days, which really surprised me. I learned that some foundation cracks need professional assessment before you just seal them up. Has anyone else in Ohio City or nearby had a similar experience with DIY basement repairs?

3 comments

3 Comments

kaih362mo ago

Ever wonder if that crack is actually telling you something? I had the same thing happen in my Gordon Square place, and a contractor friend told me sealing it can trap water pressure and make it worse. I ended up calling a structural guy for an inspection, and he found a small settling issue that needed a different fix. It cost a bit upfront, but knowing it was done right was worth it. Sometimes a quick fix just isn't the right fix, you know?

jamie_carter872mo ago

Was it a vertical crack near the corner? My Tremont wall did the exact same thing after I tried patching it... had to get steel braces put in.

hannah_perry2mo ago

Actually had good luck just patching mine with mesh tape and mud, been solid for years now.