Crackman Tip 7 - Another Sad DIY Flexseal Disaster in Grafton MA
And now we have the Crackman with another sad DIY story where flex seal strikes again in Grafton Mass.
Jun 25, 20150
The Crackman Podcast
This podcast provides expert wall and basement crack repair tips for homeowners and businesses. A1 Foundation's valuable insight and information will help avert the disaster of a flooded basement and save you money.
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Episodes
Crackman Tip 6 - Fixing Foundation Cracks in Shrewsbury Mass
This is another interesting Crackman case study where patience is a virtue when it comes to fixing foundation cracks in Shrewsbury Mass.
Jun 18, 20150
Episode 44 - Everything You Need to Know about Basement Windows
Do you think it's time to replace your basement windows? This episode discusses what materials basement windows are made out of, the pros and cons of each, and which one the Crackman recommends over all others.
Jun 11, 20150
Episode 43 - Top 6 DIY Tips for Preventing Basement Dampness & Humidity
If you suffer from a dank, damp, and moldy basement, this episode could be just what you need to solve your basement water problems.
Jun 04, 20150
Episode 42 - Self-Healing Concrete - Is it Really Possible?
Self-healing concrete...it sounds too fantastic to be true. It sounds like something right out of a futuristic sci-fi movie, but it's real. The Crackman talks about how it works and whether it's the panacea it portends to be.
Jun 01, 20150
Crackman Tip 5 - Foundation Cracks in Newton MA - A Case Study
This is another Crackman tip with an interesting case study on a foundation crack issue in Newton Mass where he describes how he came up with a solution that appeased differing opinions from structural engineer.
May 28, 20150
Episode 41 - ICFs and Basement Waterproofing - What You Need to Know
In this episode the Crackman discusses a new technology in building foundations called ICFs and gives his thoughts on the good, bad, and the ugly of their use.
May 14, 20150
Episode 40 - Spring Waterproofing - 6 Key Tips to Keep your Basement Dry
They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure so this podcast is all about doing the important things that will prevent your basement from turning into a swimming pool.
May 07, 20150
Crackman Tip 4 - A Broken water main: Is it a pipe or is it ground water?
This is a Crackman tip on how to determine if the source of an apparent water main leak is a broken pipe or if the source is natural ground water.
May 07, 20150
Episode 39 - Does Flexseal Work on Basement Water Problems?
Why Flexseal Doesn't Work on basement water problems. The Crackman rescues another DIY disaster. This episode explains why DIY fixes with overhyped, off-the-shelf products most likely will not fix your basement water problem.
Apr 30, 20150
Episode 38 - Sump Pump Safety: 3 critical tips every homeowner should know
We've done a number of podcasts about sump pumps but we've never really talked about sump pump safety. In this episode we cover 3 basic but essential tips every homeowner should know and practice.
Apr 08, 20150
Episode 37 - My bulkhead is leaking again! Do I need a new bulkhead door?
Do you have bulkhead frustration after this long, cold winter? In this episode, we cover the parts and pieces of the bulkhead that can leak, how to repair them, and how to determine if you need a new bulkhead door.
Apr 02, 20150
Crackman Tip 3 - How to Repair a Leak from a Granite Block Foundation
In this tip the Crackman talks about how he helped pinpoint and properly repair a leak from a Granite block foundation.
Mar 25, 20150
Episode 36 - 5 Must-Do steps to Implement if your Basement Floods
Let's say a homeowner wakes up to find a lake in their basement. After the initial panic and requisite swearing, what is the first thing they should do? In this episode, Rich covers 5 essential steps to getting your basement back.
Mar 19, 20150
Crackman Tip 2 - What to do when water leaks from under a finished wall
Here is the Crackman with a professional tip on what to do when you find water leaking out from under a finished wall in the winter.
Mar 19, 20150
Episode 35 - Why is my Bulkhead Leaking?
We've had a ton of snow over the last couple months. That's not good for the basement. In this episode, Rich talks about the most common call he's receiving right now, some of the DIY fixes he finds when he goes out on a job, and what he does to permanently solve the problem.
Mar 12, 20150
Episode 34 - Why Does My Sump Pump Keep Dying!
The Crackman gets a lot of calls this time of year from homeowners who report a sump pump that keeps shutting down on them. Why does a sump pump do that? In this episode we discuss the top 6 failure points of a sump pump and what to do about it.
Mar 05, 20150
Episode 33 - It's zero degrees outside and I still have a leak!
In this Crackman Case Study, Rich tells the bizarre story of a customer who had a basement leak despite the fact that it was zero degrees outside. You would think that the water would've froze before it came into the basement but it didn't. Very fascinating.
Feb 18, 20150
Crackman Tip 1 - Sump Pump versus Floor Crack Problem Solved
In this episode the Crackman explains how he solved a basement water problem in a home that had basement floor cracks and water seepage.
Feb 12, 20150
Episode 32 - How to Protect Your Basement Before the Snow Melts
This episode contains practical tips homeowners should heed as the snow piles up around the house. The Crackman covers basement water prevention tips for both the interior and exterior of the home.
Feb 05, 20150
Episode 31 - Do de-Icing products damage concrete steps and walkways?
With all the bad weather you tend to see a lot of de-icing products in use all over the place, which is good from a safety perspective but are the slowly killing your concrete?
Jan 29, 20150
Episode 30 - How to Protect Your Concrete from Flaking, Pitting, Spalling
In this episode we discuss why and how concrete ages. Then, Rich provides the main 4 steps to repairing damaged concrete.
Jan 22, 20150
Episode 29 - Practical Advice for Pouring Concrete Walls in Cold Weather
This episode gets started with a definition of cold weather from Concrete's perspective. Then, Rich explains why Concrete needs to be Protected against Freezing and methods that are used to do it. 3. Okay, so I'm guessing that concrete construction doesn't just stop in the winter. What do concrete professionals do to help the pouring and curing of cement in cold weather?
Jan 15, 20150
Episode 28 - Crackman Case Study: Solving a Leaky Basement Pipe in Cape Cod
This is a very interesting case study about a customer in Cape Cod who had a leaking pipe penetration in their basement causing a sever flooding problem. The Crackman describes the problem the customer was having after several failed DIY attempts. He was smart enough to call the Crackman so Rich talks about how he solved the problem.
Jan 08, 20150
Episode 27 - How Cement has Improved to Benefit Your Home
In this episode, Rich talks about how concrete production has improved over time. He covers everything from cement plants, to transportation, and techniques that have improved its strength. It's a great history lesson.
Jan 08, 20150
Episode 26 - How do sub-zero temperatures adversely affect a foundation?
For most homeowners, the hazards of freezing pipes are widely known and prepping exposed pipes is something that should've been done a month or 2 ago. We actually discussed that in Episode 21 of the Crackman podcast. But for this episode, the Crackman talks about how sub-zero temperatures affect your foundation.
Dec 31, 20140
Episode 25 - Case Study: Stopping Basement Water in Newton MA
In this Episode, Rich talks about a recent case study where he solved a serious basement water problem in a $4 million house in Newton MA. He had to stop water from pouring past a personal record 14 different pipes. It's a fascinating story.
Dec 18, 20140
Episode 24 - Pew! Why Concrete Foundation Cracks Can Stink...Literally.
Boxelder bugs, commonly known as â??stink bugsâ??, can become a nuisance to homeowners throughout the New England area during late Fall and even into the winter months. When the cold weather hits, boxelder females search for a warm and dry place, and they somehow find a way into your home! In this episode, Rich, talks about how Stink Bugs enter the Home and what you can do to prevent it.
Dec 04, 20140
Episode 23 - Everything you wanted to know about sump pumps and more
The goal of a sump pump is to lower the water table that is underneath your basement floor. A properly installed sump pump with adequate gravel under your basement floor can solve most water problems through cracks in the floor or from floor/wall seams. In this episode, we discuss the various types of sump pumps and which one is likely best for your needs.
Nov 20, 20140
Episode 22 - When is it time to fix a concrete floor crack?
Cracks in concrete are a common occurrence, especially in New England with the harsh winters and numerous freeze-thaw cycles. A crack in your concrete floor is like have a window open in your house; it may let certain unwanted things in, such as: water, radon, water vapors, insects, and rodents. In this episode, we discuss the various types of cracks you can get and what to do about them.
Nov 13, 20140
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