"John and Miles were excellent workers. They were very polite and professional. The job they did supporting my sagging basement wall looks like it should take care of the problem. They placed steel plates against the basement wall, and also buried other ones out in the yard, and connected them with steel rods. Then they torqued them, which should prevent any further sagging of the wall."
Do some research before hiring a concrete contractor . Consider asking whether the contractor is insured, if they can provide references of past clients you can contact, and if this type of work requires a permit. Another potential question is how long they guarantee their work.
Newly poured concrete is prone to small, fine cracks within the first 30 days of installation, but most noticeable cracks will disappear within that time frame. If a crack is greater than 1 inch, consider contacting the person who installed your wall to inspect the job.
Most load-bearing walls are exterior, though they can also be interior.
Brick walls are typically more expensive than concrete walls due to higher material and labor costs. Brick wall costs can range from $10 to $45 per square foot, plus $70 to $110 per hour for labor. Meanwhile, concrete block walls usually cost $10 to $20 per square foot, depending on the material type. Labor for concrete tends to be less intensive and costly. Ultimately, concrete is often the more affordable choice, especially for larger projects.
Unfortunately, concrete cracks happen, so there’s no surefire way to avoid them long-term. To slow down the cracking, apply a sealant every two to three years and use sand rather than salt to melt snow or ice. Using salt speeds up the freeze-thaw cycle, which may increase the likelihood of cracking. Additionally, keep vehicles and heavy machinery off of your concrete, as the weight can lead to more cracking.
The Wolverine, MI homeowners’ guide to concrete wall construction
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
