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Cracks in Concrete and Masonry: Identifying Causes & Reinforcing the Ground
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Cracks in Concrete and Masonry: Identifying Causes & Reinforcing the Ground

Cracks in concrete and masonry are frequently a visible sign of ground problems or weaknesses in the building construction. To avoid permanent damage, identifying the root Causes and implementing the right Solutions is essential before reinforcing the ground.

SoilTec is your expert in Switzerland for ground injections using polyurethane resin – the proven method for repairing foundations in cases of settlement-related cracks in concrete and masonry.

Typical Types of Cracks in Concrete and Masonry

Depending on the cause, shape, and pattern, different types of cracks are distinguished. Expert advice and targeted structural measures are necessary for a tailored repair.

  1. Settlement cracks
    • Caused by uneven settlement of the ground beneath the foundation.
    • Often stair-step or diagonal patterns in the wall.
    • Crack width increases as settlement progresses.
    • Advice from geotechnical specialists, e.g. SoilTec.
  2. Shrinkage cracks
    • Caused by volume changes due to drying shrinkage.
    • Fine, barely visible cracks.
    • Advice from architectural firms or damage experts.
  3. Expansion cracks
    • Caused by temperature fluctuations and varying material expansion.
    • Cracks often widen with repeated temperature changes.
    • Advice from architectural firms or damage experts.
  4. Drying cracks (crazing)
    • Especially common with fast-drying plaster.
    • Superficial, net-like branching cracks.
    • Advice from architectural firms or damage experts.
  5. Load cracks (structural cracks)
    • Caused by excessive mechanical loads such as bending or shear.
    • Typical on load-bearing walls, beams, or ceiling undersides.
    • Critical if crack widths exceed 0.2 mm.
    • Advice from civil engineering firms for structural inspection.
  6. Corrosion cracks
    • Caused by rust formation in the reinforcement steel.
    • Often accompanied by spalling concrete surfaces.
    • Advice from concrete repair specialists.

SoilTec PUR ground injection: effective repair for settlement cracks

SoilTec specializes in injecting polyurethane resin into the ground to:

  • Improve the ground – enhance, solidify, reinforce, and sustainably stabilize it;
  • Targetedly stop uneven settlements;
  • Significantly increase the load-bearing capacity of the subsoil.

This innovative method is often the best solution against structural damage caused by ground settlement. Learn more

Conclusion: sustainable protection against cracks thanks to SoilTec ground improvement

Cracks in concrete and masonry often point to settlement problems in the ground. With targeted PUR ground injection from SoilTec, the subsoil can be sustainably improved, preventing further damage. Through a well-founded analysis and professional execution of the PUR injection, the value of your building is preserved in the long term.

Our services at a glance

  • On-site consultation

    The aim of our free on-site consultation throughout Switzerland is to assess the settlement damage to your house, recommend measures to repair the damage, and, if you wish, provide you with a competitive quote for PUR injection into the building ground.

    further information Pfeil
  • Stopping building subsidence

    The most efficient method for stopping building settlement is to stabilize the ground using PUR injections. This involves injecting foaming polyurethane into the foundation subsoil at several different depths, thereby restoring the settlement-free load-bearing capacity of the ground.

    further information Pfeil
  • Get your house back on track

    Pressing polyurethane into the ground beneath the concrete floor slab increases its volume, allowing the house to be lifted at specific points once a certain ground pressure is reached.

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  • Increase ground bearing capacity

    Increasing the load on the structure increases the soil pressure under the foundation, which can lead to settlement. PUR injection into the subsoil increases the load-bearing capacity to such an extent that the additional load on the structure is borne by the subsoil without settlement.

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  • Seal leak in excavation pit wall

    PUR injections are used to seal gaps and unwanted leaks in building foundation walls against pressing groundwater. The process is also suitable for creating sealing walls and floors, so that, for example, in existing buildings, pits for new elevator shafts below the groundwater level can be excavated and concreted without a special excavation wall and only with open water drainage.

    further information Pfeil
  • Sealing Arteser during geothermal drilling

    When sinking geothermal boreholes, there is a risk of an artesian well, in which pressurized groundwater rises from the depths of the borehole. By injecting foaming polyurethane at three different depths around the geothermal probe borehole, a three-stage sealing collar is formed around the geothermal probe in the injection area, which prevents water from flowing around the seal in the borehole and permanently stops the flow of water rising from the depths.

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Ich möchte mich noch für Ihren Einsatz auf der Baustelle bedanken. Wir schätzen sehr, dass Sie den Arteser kurzfristig abdichten konnten.

Michael Zurkinden, Pensier

»

Why Choose the SoilTec Solution?

 

Faced with cracks or subsidence, many homeowners immediately think of heavy concrete underpinning. SoilTec offers a modern, certified, and durable alternative.

  • Fast Intervention: Most projects are completed within 1 day.
  • Non-Invasive: No heavy construction machinery, no destruction of your garden or interior flooring.
  • Cost-Effective: Often 30% to 50% cheaper than traditional underpinning methods.
  • Long-Term Warranty: Our work is insured, and our resins are certified for a lifespan of over 50 years in the ground.
  • Laser Precision: We monitor the lifting of your building with millimeter accuracy in real-time.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Is the resin harmful to the environment?

No. The polyurethane (PUR) resin we use is inert once cured. It does not pollute groundwater and complies with the strictest Swiss environmental standards.

 

How much does a SoilTec intervention cost?

Every project is unique. The cost depends on the volume of voids to be filled and the soil conditions. However, our solution is generally much more affordable than conventional concrete work. Contact us for a free estimate.

 

Can we stay in the house during the work?

Yes, absolutely. Since we do not need to break floors or dig trenches inside, you can continue living in your home normally during our technicians' intervention.

 

Where does SoilTec operate?

We operate throughout Switzerland: Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Bern, Lugano, and everywhere in between. Our teams are mobile and equipped with self-sufficient workshop trucks.

We stabilize your house. Soil stabilization through synthetic resin injection is the most economical and fastest solution for restoring the stability of a house. We specialize in soil stabilization through PUR injections and are happy to support you with our professional services.

SoilTec AG
Postfach 453
4800 Zofingen
T. 0800 400 111
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0800 400 111