The Crackman Podcast

Do you live in a condo? Are you wondering if your basement wall crack repairs are coming out of your pocket or the condo association's? This episode is for you.

Is it really possible to stop a Stone Foundation from leaking with mortar and foam insulation? Not for long. This episode covers a real life example.

So let's say a homeowner walks down to his basement for a game of pool during a thunderstorm because there is nothing to do outside. Just as he walks over to the pool stick rack to pick out his favorite cue, he notices water pouring from the closed window. This episode talks about what he should do and how to fix it.

In this real life case study, the Crackman talks about how he solved a seemingly insurmountable water leak in a retaining pond at a golf course.

It sounds like a horror story right out of a Stephen King novel but people are report big problems with rats and mice this time of year. The Crackman provides some simple DIY tips for keeping the vermin out of the house.

The Crackman shares with a real life case study about the futility of trying to stop basement water with "waterproofing paint." The Crackman has warned against this in the past but they did it anyway!

In this episode, the Crackman shares what he is seeing in the field, the 3 types of foundations people tend to paint, and what he recommends.

This episode covers what a stone foundation is, sheds light on the issues you will run into if you try to solve a stone foundation water problem with skim coating, and finally talks about how to properly fix a stone foundation.

In this episode we, have a very interesting case study to share today about an apartment building that was built with ICFs and survived a gas explosion due to their ability to flex and absorb shock waves.

For homeowners, having attractive walkways and sidewalks speaks volumes about the pride they have in their property. But the cost of neglecting a dangerous sidewalk or walkway could be more costly that just the aesthetics. A lawsuit could be lurking.

Last winter we did a podcast about the ills of pouring concrete when it's too cold. Now that it's summer, it's a good idea to talk about issues that can occur when you pour concrete when it's too hot.

It's hard to believe that an 8-feet long, 1/4 inch crack in the wall is like having a 5 and 1/2 inch hole in your foundation. The Crackman explains how.

Imagine waking up one morning, walking down to the basement, and wondering why your basement smells worse than a waste treatment plant. In this episode we discuss 5 ways that can that happen, how to inspect the possible causes, and what you can do about it.

It seems like most basement water problems come from rain. So how do you end up with water in the corners of your basement or garage with no rain? In this episode we discover why and what you can do about it.

The Crackman with an interesting case study about an emergency crack repair job at a senior living care facility in the town of Weston Massachusetts.

In this episode, the Crackman discusses an interesting case study with a stone foundation crack repair problem in Providence, Rhode Island.

And now we have the Crackman with another sad DIY story where flex seal strikes again in Grafton Mass.

This is another interesting Crackman case study where patience is a virtue when it comes to fixing foundation cracks in Shrewsbury Mass.

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.

If you suffer from a dank, damp, and moldy basement, this episode could be just what you need to solve your basement water problems.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.