The Foundation Fix: Why Cheap Up-Front Can Cost You More Down the Road

When you have water leaking into your crawl space or basement, the main thing you want is for it to stop—fast and affordably. I totally get it. We recently worked with a return customer whose foundation was weeping moisture, and she had someone give her a seemingly affordable price to repair it with an off the shelf hydraulic cement. She unfortunately learned the hard way that this quote eventually cost her more money. Let me explain why.

The Problem with Quick Fixes (Hydraulic Cement)

In the world of foundation repair, products like hydraulic cement are often pitched as a great, cost-effective solution for small cracks and leaks. They work initially, but here’s the problem: foundations move. They settle, they shift, and they flex ever so slightly with soil changes and temperature. Our customer had this type of work done before, and guess what? The rigid hydraulic cement cracked right along with the foundation's movement. The water came back, and she was right back where she started, needing the same repair money spent all over again. So I proposed that the goes for the Long-Term Solution (Polyurethane Resin Injection).

We’ve recently used this method around a foundation wall and footing in this same customer's crawl space, and the results were conclusive that, she had zero moisture coming through. Yes, the cost for the polyurethane injection was more expensive initially than the quick cement fix. But here is the critical takeaway: this resin is flexible. It expands, sealing the crack completely, and actually moves with the foundation. Because it doesn't crack or fail when the footing shifts, it provides a permanent seal.

The Math: Saving Money Isn't Always About the First Price

When you factor in the cost of hiring someone to do a cheap fix (like the hydraulic cement) that fails in a year or two, and then hiring someone again to fix it properly, you wind up paying the same amount, or more, in the end. Essentially, investing in the right solution the first time—even if it costs more upfront—saves you the hassle, the stress, and the repeat expense. Don't be fooled by the lower sticker price, always try and find the right method to fix the problems.