The best way to Fill the space Between your Basement Foundation

Protecting a basement foundation from water damage and cracking is crucial. A niche between a basement foundation and a sidewalk leaves both structures prone to severe racing. Filling the area with semi-flexible, rot-resistant material blocks moisture while allowing the structures to shift without cracking. Do-it-yourself individuals with little if any experience can complete this project in a afternoon including a full day for your caulk to set.

Clean out a real difference between your foundation and sidewalk using a long wire brush. Chip off any hard debris or caulk stuck around the sides having a hammer along with a chisel. Study the width with the gap with measuring tape. If it’s wider than 1/2 inch, you’ll should fill in the visible difference having an expansion joint like foam backer rod. If it’s just one 1/2 inch wide, you'll be able to complete Expanding Foam Tape. Place a strip of foam backer rod into the sidewalk parallel towards the gap. Use a utility knife to cut the rod to match the length of the visible difference. If your rod is just not for a specified duration, cut another piece to fit the remaining space. Lay the froth backer rod into the gap and push it down together with your hands. If you’re using two lengths of rod, push these down hence the ends are flush. Utilize blunt end of the putty knife to hit the rod into the bottom of the gap. Load silicone latex caulk into a caulk gun and snip off the end with scissors. Fill the remainder gap with the caulk until its level with the sidewalk. Hold a putty knife level with the whites on the pavement and the other within the caulk. Run the knife slowly along the length of the gap to take out excess and also to be sure that the caulk is level.