The following story was reported on WWJ Radio 950AM after an interview with CWS President Stan Marko.
Not all Foundation Cracks and Crack Repairs are the Same
Mark Gilman Reporting
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 Just about everyone who lives in Michigan and has a basement will deal with foundation cracks. But with so many different kinds of foundations and reasons why cracks appear, Stan Marko, owner of Concrete and Waterproofing Solutions in Lapeer, said, “A one-size-fits-all kind of thing is kind of ludicrous.”
According to Marko, the type of crack in a basement wall is usually a good indicator of what the problem is with the wall.
Fine cracks in a poured wall are usually a result of concrete shrinking as it cures. Hydrostatic pressure cracks happen when soil with a lot of clay exerts pressure around the house when it contracts and expands. When you see horizontal cracks in a block wall, it’s a structural crack. It’s in the process of folding and the bottom is starting to cave in. These cracks happen just below the soil, about a block or two below the windows. Structural cracks in poured walls are either diagonal or go straight up and down and meet at the lower part of the foundation. Drainage problems with block wall basements can usually be detected by water coming up underneath the floor and bubbling paint on the walls.
Generally speaking, Marko said block and brick foundation repairs are usually handled best from the outside of the house with patching and replacing drain tile. Poured walls are best fixed from the inside of the house with an epoxy or polyurethane injection sometimes reinforced with carbon fiber staples. Even then, finished basements or hardscaping or landscaping around the house may dictate an alternate but best, most economically feasible or practical foundation repair.
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Basement Tuxedo Launches in Michigan
Novi, MI - Basement Tuxedo, a division of Advanced Basement Products introduced their new Architectural Basement
Finishing Panels [Basement Tuxedo] at the Building Industry Association's Fall Remodeling and Design Show at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi, MI. The show ran October 12-14, and featured a wide range of building products and services, drawing consumers from all over Southeast Michigan.
Concrete & Waterproofing Solutions has become a dealer for the product and will sell and install it in Southeast Michigan. The panel system features many advantages over competitive products including studless installation, moisture, mold and mildew resistance, and a seamless surface that comes in 3 standard colors or can be painted to match existing decors.
 The patented panel system also accommodates easy hook-up to existing electrical and plumbing, and the panels are rigid and strong enough to support heavy objects like shelving or even a large flat-screen TV.
Everything is pre-measured for a custom fit. Once installed, the insulative properties for sound and energy can save the consumer money on future energy costs.
Basement Tuxedo also displayed the new system at the Palace of Auburn Hills  Home Show where it was well received by consumers visiting the show.
Stan Marko of Concrete & Waterproofing Solutions played an integral part in the development of the product and was on-hand at the trade shows to demonstrate the versatility of the system and answer questions.
For more information on the Basement Tuxedo system <click here> , or call us at 866. 515.9196.
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