The Crackman Podcast

As we've discussed many times before, homeowners are likely to try DIY methods before calling a pro for most crack problems. Hydraulic cement is one of those do-it-yourself methods the Crackman runs into quite a bit. In this episode, he shares a humorous story about one such incident and why hydraulic cement isn't a permanent fix.

During his many years in the field, The Crackman has run into some pretty interesting solutions for lally columns. Many of the DIY solutions for lally columns he has found fail to pass home inspection. Listen in to see what you should and should not use for lally columns.

It can be horrifying to descend into your basement and find it flooded. In this episode, the Crackman shares a 7-step process for what to do when you have a flooded basement.

We just checked the weather report and it looks like the Northeast is going to get pounded with a blizzard. If you're a homeowner, you need to get stepping and make sure you're ready for it. In this episode, the Crackman shares 5 essential tips that will ensure the basement isn't the first casualty of a major storm.

As we celebrate the 100th episode of the Crackman Podcast, the Crackman recounts the story of a seemingly possessed sump pump and the unlikely source of the problem.

So, you're about to spend a bundle on refinishing your basement. You may be thinking that if you're hiring a professional builder, it's going to be LIKE NEW and you shouldn't expect to see any water issues for a long, long time. Well...maybe you should listen t this podcast to avoid a few common mistakes.

Here is another Crackman case study that is a great example of how he helps real estate agents and homeowners make their closing date by diagnosing and fixing basement water problems at the 11th hour.

We posted a blog a few weeks ago with an amazing video captured by a customer of water literally squirting out of the foundation wall. In this episode, the Crackman tells us all about it and what he did to plug the multiple squirting holes.

Whenever the Crackman gets a call about a basement water problem there is a little bit of sleuthing that goes into figuring out where the water is coming from. This podcast is dedicated to the most common source.

Should foundation crack repairs be fixed from the inside or the outside? The Crackman sets the record straight.

The Crackman shares a case study in this episode that parallels with a disastrous cave-in he read about where someone fell through their porch barely avoiding death.

In this episode, the Crackman recounts a recent job where a large building firm in Utah contacted him to solve a problem at a recycling plant construction project.

Is the Crackman doing palm and psychic readings as a side business or are DIYers so predictable that Rich knows all the common home crack repair techniques that usually fail? Tune in to find out.

When it comes to Basement Waterproofing paints, it's a case of pros and cons. In this episode, the Crackman reveals when he WOULD and when he WOULD NOT use basement waterproofing paints and why.

Stone foundations...what are they and what happens when natural aging causes the mortar holding them together breaks down. The Crackman covers the issues and when to repoint the fieldstones.

We've talked about waterproofing paint in the past and, well...let's just say it's not what you want to use for fixing cracks. But in this episode we want to cover the pros and cons of waterproofing paint.

How the heck does a basement flood in the middle of a drought? Don't you need to have, you know, water to flood? In this episode the Crackman analyzes this unusual phenomenon.

Typically, the Crackman's stories describe the terrors of finding a flooded basement but this episode is like something right out of a horror movie. Rich talks about this invasion of mice and what he did to prevent the varmints from coming back in.

We've talked about the "fool proof" waterproofing/leak stopping method known as Flexseal before and the Crackman keeps calling out issues whenever he sees it. Here is another sad story of a homeowner trying to fix a problem with Flexseal.

Have you noticed a gap where your basement floor meets the basement wall? If so, you are not alone. Should you fix it? Leave it alone? Listen and find out.

So you are thinking about finishing your basement to improve the resale value of your house. Is that a wise investment? The Crackman reveals some interesting facts and statistics that just may surprise you.

The Crackman answers definitively this burning question: Should a foundation crack be fixed before listing a house?

The Crackman was called into a job recently that you won't believe. He had to help someone who was trying to dig out their own basement.

This is another quick tip from the Crackman on how to determine the cause of puddles in a parking garage.

So you notice a little puddle of water on your basement floor. Should you pack up the family and get the heck outta Dodge or could it be something less worrisome? Listen and find out.