Episodes
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Episode 467: Episode 458 - I’m looking at buying a house with Japanese Knotweed surrounding it. Is there anything I need to consider before buying it?
Japanese Knotweed…most of us have never heard of it. Is this something unique to the New England area? In this episode, Adam explains the ramifications of allowing Japanese Knotweed to grow unchecked around your home.
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Episode 466: Episode 457 - Is the Crack Daddy immune to basement water problems?
Since the Crack Daddy is an expert in basement waterproofing, one might imagine that water is just too afraid of him and will take its menace to a less capable victim, right? Wrong. In this episode, Adam reveals his own battle with water leaking in his finished basement.
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Episode 465: Episode 456 - Should you fix all of your basement cracks before a home sale or pass the repair on to the new owner?
It’s an age-old question: should you do a major home renovation or repair when your intention is to sell the home in the near future? In this episode, Adam explains why it’s a good idea to address basement crack repair issues before they end up stopping a home sale dead.
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Episode 464: Episode 455 - Why is my sump pump not getting all the water out of my basement?
Sump pumps are designed to remove water that collects in your basement, so why would one be underperforming? Too much water in a sinking ship? Adam explains how sump pump systems are designed.
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Episode 463: Episode 454 - How has El Nino’s global weather impacts affected homeowners in the New England area?
El Nino forms and exists in the Pacific Ocean, which is a half a world away from New England, so how can its effect on global weather patterns impact homeowners in New England? Adam shares what he is seeing.
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Episode 462: Episode 453 - Living in a land-based submarine? How to deal with leaking basement windows
In this episode, Adam explains what to do if your leaky basement windows are making you feel like you’re living in a land-based submarine.
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Episode 461: Episode 452 - Water is pouring into my finished basement. Now what?
So you invited your buddies over for your monthly poker game in your man cave in the basement. You go downstairs to get everything set up and you find a small lake. Looks like the game is screwed but now what do you do? Adam explains.
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Episode 460: Episode 451 - Has an AI-generated appraisal obliterated your chances of a home loan?
AI tools are everywhere and they have infiltrated just about every industry, real estate notwithstanding. Since A1 Foundation Crack Repair routinely saves real estate deals in the 11th hour, they have a lot of experience in the home sales process. In this episode, Adam explains how AI tools have...
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Episode 459: Episode 450 - Can I remove a support column to create more space?
The basement can be a very cool space if remodeled properly. It’s only natural for a homeowner to want to remove an unsightly support column. That’s not too big of a deal, right? Well, maybe not. Adam explains the critical importance of properly maintaining the support columns in your home.
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Episode 458: Episode 449 - The importance of being proactive in repairing your home’s foundation cracks.
Some homeowners are less proactive than others when it comes to repairing foundation cracks. Their attitude is, if it ain’t leaking, why should I repair it? But that’s faulty logic. In this episode Adam explains the importance of fixing foundation cracks before they start leaking.
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Episode 457: Episode 448 - Do foundation crack repair techniques work on swimming pools?
A1 Foundation Crack Repair is known for stopping basement water but the story we’re sharing in this episode demonstrates that A1's techniques can work outside of the foundation and basement realm...even swimming pools.
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Episode 456: Episode 447 - Did your real estate deal blow up in the 11th hour because of a bad appraisal due to foundation cracks?
A1 Foundation Crack Repair gets a lot of calls from real estate agents in an absolute panic because they received a bad appraisal due to a foundation wall or floor crack. What typically happens in cases like that when you get those calls? Adam explains.
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Episode 455: Episode 446 - Did a plumber really drill a 6-inch pipe through a home’s main support beam?
Adam shares another crazy story, this time it's about a plumber who drilled a 6-inch hole through a home's main support beam to pass a sewer pipe through the structure.
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Episode 454: Episode 445 - How A1 Saved a Homeowner Thousands on an unnecessary Sump Pump installation
A1’s professional integrity was on display again this past week. This time their customer was being advised to spend a boat load of money on a sump pump installation where a simple crack repair was all that was needed. Adam reflects on another tale that underscores the need to get a second…
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Episode 453: Episode 443 - The Firehouse Foundation Challenge–How A1 fixed a firehouse garage floor leaking into a basement
A1 Foundation Crack Repair is known for its quick response just like first responders. So when they got the call to help with a leaky firehouse, they jumped right on it. Adam sharing this cool story about how A1 helped the all-important first responders at a local Firehouse on Patriots Day, no...
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Episode 452: Episode 442 - Don’t Get Fleeced: Why One Client Almost Paid 40x Too Much for a Foundation Crack Repair
A1 Foundation Crack Repair is known for keeping it real. They routinely save homeowners tens of thousands of dollars applying the proper fix whereas some companies out there always try to apply the most expensive solution even when it’s not necessary. Adam shares another shocker.
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Episode 451: Episode 441 - Weak Links in Your Foundation: Understanding Concrete Cold Joints
Adam took an amazing video of a long, vertical concrete cold joint in a foundation corner that was leaking like crazy. Why does something like that happen and how in the world can you fix something like that? The Crack Daddy explains.
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Episode 450: Episode 440 - Why is my foundation leaking now when it hasn't leaked in 20 years?
It's very concerning for a homeowner to find water in their basement when they never saw it before or haven't seen it in a very long time. Is it inevitable that a basement will leak at some point? Adam explains.
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Episode 449: Episode 439 - Does it really cost $45,000 to fix my foundation problem?
If a homeowner gets a quote to fix a foundation problem, and that quote is super high, like $45,000, for example, is it wise to get a second opinion? Check this podcast out for the answer.
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Episode 448: Episode 438 - How did winter weather blow up a house in Taunton, Massachusetts?
In this episode, Adam shares an amazing and terrifying tale of a house blowing up because of a clogged regulator vent.
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Episode 447: Episode 437 - Are concrete basement floors strong enough to support lally columns?
In this very cool episode, Adam explains how basement floor thicknesses are are usually not enough to support lally columns….. and he shares a little tidbit about a time capsule he ran into on the job.
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Episode 446: Episode 436 - Is that a crack in my foundation or a cold pour?
In this episode, Adam shares a very informative case study about a concrete cold pour and why it doesn’t always mean an expensive fix for the homeowner.
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Episode 445: Episode 435 - How large snow piles around your house can impact your foundation and basement
We’ve had a couple big snow storms in the past month in the Northeast. What should homeowners be doing to prepare their homes for the inevitable melt that will occur in the coming weeks? Adam explains.
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Episode 444: Episode 434 - The New England Patriots broke my foundation. How can I repair it?
The New England Patriots didn't really break the foundation. A1 Foundation Crack Repair’s miracle work extended to fixing a foundation damaged by a vehicle that was coming from the New England Patriots AFC Championship game win. Good luck in the Super Bowl!
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Episode 443: Episode 433 - Can salt from roads in the winter damage my home?
It’s winter in the northeast and salted roadways are commonplace. As the tires track salt into your garage, what kinds of corrosive effects can it have on your house? Adam shares his experience with salt in the winter and how it can affect one's garage floor and what preventative things can be…
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Episode 442: Episode 432 - Can I use a DIY repair kit to fix my foundation wall crack?
In this episode, Adam shares an experience with a DIY foundation crack repair kit. He sent a picture of a foundation wall crack that looks like a project that went…well…. really bad. Suffice it to say, leave jobs like this to the pros if you want it done correctly.
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Episode 441: Episode 431 - What is the difference between a cosmetic foundation crack and one that actually needs maintenance?
It’s common to see hairline cracks in concrete. Nevertheless, there a point where the crack is not just something to keep an eye on but something that needs repair. Adam explains the difference.
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Episode 439: Episode 429 - Mice are getting through my stone foundation. What can I do?
Stone foundations are generally pretty old so it’s likely that at some point, homeowners will need to do some maintenance on them. So, if mice have dug their version of the Ted Williams tunnel into your stone foundation, what can you do?
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Episode 438: Episode 428 - How much hydraulic cement does it take to stop a water leak?
The Crack Daddy has talked in the past about how ineffective hydraulic cement is at stopping water leaks long-term. But if you put enough hydraulic cement on a crack, eventually it’ll stop the water, won’t it? Adam explains why that is faulty logic.
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Episode 437: Episode 427 - A1’s strategy for rapid basement water problem diagnosis
In this episode, Adam shares A1’s strategy for diagnosing a basement water problem and recommending a solution. HINT: Less sales and more fixing.
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Episode 436: Episode 426 - Why is my basement leaking in the same spot and at the same time every day?
In this episode, Adam shares an interesting case study about a water leak that came at the same time and same spot every day. It’s a good thing they thought to call A1 Crack for a second opinion. It saved them about $25,000 on an unnecessary french drain system.
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Episode 435: Episode 425 - What is lime-based mortar and do I need it?
A1 Foundation Crack repair has been getting a lot of calls from people asking if they use lime-based mortar. What is this lime-based mortar, some kind of super mortar? Adam explains.
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Episode 434: Episode 424 - How A1 Foundation Crack Repair detects water leaks
If you have water in your basement, one of the first things you need to determine is where the water is coming from. In this episode, Adam explains how A1 Foundation Crack Repair detects water leaks using low cost techniques to quickly hone in on the source of the water.
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Episode 433: Episode 423 - The Home Inspector dinged my foundation for some issues. Is this a deal breaker?
A1 Foundation Crack Repair saves a lot of real estate deals. If the home inspector finds a problem with the foundation, should the buyer run like the wind? Adam explains how most problems can be permanently fixed so the deal can go through.
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Episode 432: Episode 422 - What is the difference between basement waterproofing and water redirecting?
In this episode, Adam explains the difference between basement waterproofing and water redirecting. Yes, there is a difference as one is treating the symptom and the other is the cure.
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Episode 431: Episode 421 - A1 prevents a home disaster days before a flash flood
Adam received a really nice voicemail from an extremely grateful homeowner that reads like this. In this episode, Adam explains the circumstances surrounding the job they did. For homeowners with foundation problems, A1 is the answer to many prayers.
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Episode 430: Episode 420 - Are helical piers necessary to support my home?
Some foundation contractors would have you believe that you need helical piers to lift a house to solve foundation crack problems….that spot fixing foundation cracks is just a Band-Aid. Adam, a civil engineer, explains what he thinks about these super high dollar repairs…and if they are really...
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Episode 429: Episode 419 - Can an unrepaired crack come back to haunt your home?
This episode serves as a cautionary tale that warns of the ramifications of not addressing a foundation crack while it’s still relatively easy to fix.
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Episode 428: Episode 418 - Can a foundation crack cause a costly delay in a home sale?
A1 Foundation Crack Repair is on speed dial with many realtors for a good reason. In this episode, Adam explains how a foundation crack can cause a costly delay in the home sale process.
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Episode 427: Episode 417 - Is it really necessary to use a laser to level a foundation if I have a foundation crack?
In this episode, Adam explains what exactly is laser leveling when it comes to foundations and whether it is necessary to pay the exorbitant cost to do it when you have a crack in your foundation.
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Episode 426: Episode 416 - Can you DIY a sump pump job in a leaky basement?
In this episode, Adam explains why a DIY sump pump job should be considered temporary, at best. Something like that should be left to the pros.
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Episode 425: Episode 415 - What can you do about a leaky cold joint in a bulkhead?
In this episode, Adam recounts an interesting case study about a swimming pool, bulkhead, and cold joint.
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Episode 424: Episode 414 - The municipality had a Dam problem that A1 fixed
We’ve all heard about the story of the boy who put his finger in a dam to stop a leak. In this episode, Adam shares an interesting case study on how they were able to use their proven waterproofing processes to stop a leaky dam in their local municipality.
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Episode 423: Episode 413 - The dangers of DIY basement waterproofing job
In this episode, Adam shares this cautionary tale of the dangers of mishandling the materials used to waterproof basements. Hopefully this helps other overeager homeowners from making the same mistake.
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Episode 422: Episode 412 - The consequences of pouring a concrete foundation on frozen ground
Is it okay to pour concrete in the freezing cold? This episode is a cautionary tale from the Crack Daddy about a new house build gone terribly wrong.
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Episode 421: Episode 411 - Is your house ready for the Spring thaw?
Spring is right around the corner and we’ve had some pretty wacky weather in late winter. Now is the time for homeowners to be preparing their homes for the significant change in weather. In this episode, Adam shares important tips on preparing your house for the change of seasons.
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Episode 420: Episode 410 - The consequences of not repairing a basement wall crack
In this episode, Adam shares case study about a house with a serious termite problem and the consequences of not fixing a wall crack.
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Episode 419: Episode 409 - Should I worry about my non-structural basement floor cracks?
Some cracks obviously need fixing because there’s water pouring through them. Other cracks are tiny and have sort of a capillary type of bleed. Does a homeowner need to be concerned about those tiny cracks? Adam explains why even non-structural floor cracks need to be addressed sooner rather than...
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Episode 418: Episode 408 - Do I have a leaky pipe in my basement or is it something else?
In this episode, Adam explains how he detected, diagnosed, and fixed a leaky pipe penetration.
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Episode 417: Episode 407 - Why you don’t spray foam insulate your walls before you waterproof your basement
In this episode, Adam explains why professional basement spray foam insulation will not fix a leaking wall crack and why it’s necessary to fix those leaks BEFORE you use spray foam.