Foundation repair
glossary.

A crack that is still changing, leaking, widening, or reacting to seasonal moisture and soil pressure. Active cracks usually need root-cause diagnosis before repair.

A set of methods used to control groundwater, seepage, vapor, and drainage around or inside a basement. Good waterproofing manages the water source, not just the visible stain.

A foundation wall that curves inward because lateral soil or water pressure is pushing against it. Bowing walls should be measured and monitored before a reinforcement system is selected.

A low-profile structural reinforcement system bonded to a foundation wall to help resist inward movement. It is often used when a wall is cracked or beginning to bow.

The joint where separately poured concrete sections meet, often at the wall-to-floor connection. Cold joints are common water entry points during heavy rain.

Surface flaking, scaling, or breaking away of concrete. It can be caused by moisture, freeze-thaw cycles, corrosion, salts, or poor surface preparation.

The inside corner where the basement wall meets the floor slab. Water at this joint often points to hydrostatic pressure beneath or beside the foundation.

A repair method that fills a foundation crack with epoxy or polyurethane. The right material depends on whether the crack is structural, leaking, moving, or dry.

A perforated drainage pipe system that collects groundwater and directs it to a sump basin or safe discharge point. It may be installed inside or outside the foundation.

White mineral residue left behind when moisture moves through concrete or masonry and evaporates. It is a clue that water has been moving through the wall.

A rigid crack injection method used when the goal is to bond concrete back together and restore structural continuity. It is commonly used for dry structural cracks.

A drainage system installed outside the foundation near the footing to intercept groundwater before it builds pressure against basement walls.

Downward movement of a foundation or part of a structure. Settlement can create stair-step cracks, diagonal cracks, sloping floors, and door or window alignment problems.

A gravel-and-pipe drainage system used to collect water and move it away from a problem area. Interior and exterior versions solve different water-control problems.

The slope of soil around a house. Proper grading sends rainwater away from the foundation; poor grading sends it toward the basement wall.

A very narrow crack in concrete or masonry. Some hairline cracks are shrinkage-related, but location, pattern, moisture, and movement determine whether repair is needed.

A crack running side to side along a foundation wall. Horizontal cracks often deserve closer inspection because they can indicate lateral pressure.

Pressure created when groundwater builds up against foundation walls or beneath the slab. It can force water through cracks, joints, porous concrete, and floor openings.

A basement drainage system installed inside the perimeter of the foundation to collect water at the wall-floor area and move it to a sump basin.

Sideways pressure from soil, water, frost, or clay expansion against a foundation wall. Lateral pressure is a common cause of bowing and horizontal cracking.

A foundation built with concrete masonry units. Block foundations can leak through mortar joints, cracks, cores, or the wall-to-floor connection.

Documenting moisture readings by location so the leak pattern can be understood. Moisture mapping helps separate condensation, seepage, and active water intrusion.

Waterproofing applied from the inside of a basement wall after water has already reached the foundation. It can be useful when exterior excavation is not practical.

A flexible crack injection method that expands to seal active water paths. It is commonly used for leaking cracks that need a watertight seal.

A foundation wall formed by pouring concrete into forms. Poured walls can be strong, but they can still crack from shrinkage, settlement, pressure, or poor drainage.

A crack caused as concrete cures and contracts. Shrinkage cracks are common, but they still need evaluation if they leak, widen, or line up with other movement signs.

The wood member that sits on top of the foundation and connects the house framing to the foundation. Moisture near the sill plate can create rot and air leakage concerns.

The pit that collects water from a drainage system before the sump pump moves it away from the home. Basin sizing and placement affect system performance.

A pump that removes collected groundwater from a sump basin and discharges it away from the foundation. Backups and discharge routing matter as much as the pump itself.

Infrared camera inspection used to identify temperature differences that may indicate moisture paths, hidden damp areas, or active leakage behind finishes.

A membrane used to reduce moisture vapor movement from soil, crawl spaces, or foundation surfaces. It helps control humidity but does not replace drainage when water is active.

A crack running up and down a foundation wall. Vertical cracks are common in poured concrete and may need injection, drainage correction, or monitoring depending on symptoms.

Measured inward or outward movement of a foundation wall. Deflection readings help determine whether reinforcement is needed and whether movement is progressing.

Small openings used to let trapped water drain from block wall cores or wall systems. They must connect to a controlled drainage path to be useful.

A drain inside a basement window well that helps prevent rainwater from pooling against the window and entering the basement.