This podcast provides expert wall and basement crack repair tips for homeowners and businesses. A1 Foundation's valuable insight and information will help avert the disaster of a flooded basement and save you money.
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Welcome to "Strong Foundations, Strong Homes," the podcast where we dig deep into the crucial world of home foundations and the incredible role they play in your property! Join us each week as we chat with industry experts, homeowners, and thought leaders who share their stories, valuable insights, and tips to keep your homes safe and sturdy. We’ll explore everything from spotting early signs of foundation issues to the latest repair techniques and preventive measures. Get ready to learn how ...
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"Moisture: The Silent Foundation Assassin" – Episode Summary In this delightfully soggy edition of "Strong Foundations, Strong Homes," host Alex Morrison dives headfirst into the puddle-shaped problem lurking beneath our homes. The episode features Mark Shepherd from United Structural Systems of Illinois, who transforms hydrostatic pressure from te…
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Episode 422: Episode 412 - The consequences of pouring a concrete foundation on frozen ground
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4:23Is 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?
3:55
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3:55Spring 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
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3:35In 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?
6:25
6:25
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6:25Some 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 later.…
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Episode 418: Episode 408 - Do I have a leaky pipe in my basement or is it something else?
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4:34In this episode, Adam explains how he detected, diagnosed, and fixed a leaky pipe penetration.
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Foundations First: Understanding Your Home’s Base
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8:53"Foundations First: Understanding Your Home’s Base" breaks down the essential role of your home's foundation. In this episode, we cover the basics of common foundation types and explain why they are the backbone of any structure. We start with a clear explanation of the three most common foundation types: Slab-on-Grade, Pier & Beam, and Basement. E…
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Episode 417: Episode 407 - Why you don’t spray foam insulate your walls before you waterproof your basement
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5:17
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5:17In 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.
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Episode 416: Episode 406 - Why A1 Foundation Crack Repair is a realtor’s best friend
3:42
3:42
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3:42We saw a review posted yesterday on A1's Google Business Profile from a realtor who praised their support as if they were a super hero. Why do realtors keep A1 on speed dial? Adam shares his thoughts.
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Episode 415: Episode 405 - I have cracks in my concrete floor–should I be worried?
5:46
5:46
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5:46A1 Foundation Crack Repair gets a lot of pictures of feet. How does that relate to concrete floor cracks in your basement? Adam shares some unique insight.
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Episode 414: Episode 404 - What are the various types of basements and foundations serviced by A1 Foundation Crack Repair?
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4:30A1 services quite a bit of the New England area, and they run into all kinds of basements and foundations. In this episode, Adam explains the various types of basements and foundations A1 works on AND the areas they service.
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Cracking the Code: Understanding Foundation Cracks
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6:50
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6:50In this episode, we explore the common causes and seasonal factors behind foundation cracks, unraveling the science of soil settlement, freeze-thaw cycles, and hydrostatic pressure. Each segment dives deep into these phenomena, sharing real-life stories of homeowners who faced these challenges and found solutions with the help of our expert team. D…
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Episode 413: Episode 403 - What basement foundation conditions can affect the refinancing of my home?
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3:17Those dang underwriters and appraisers can make it pretty difficult to get loans at times. In this episode, Rich, The Crackman, explains how basement foundation issues can affect your refinancing goals.
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Episode 412: Episode 402 - The devastating effects even a small basement wall crack can have in the winter
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4:06
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4:06Winter is fast approaching and cold weather brings new concerns for even the smallest of cracks in a basement wall. Adam explains the effects freezing temperatures have on basement walls cracks and what should be done about them.
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Episode 411: Episode 401 - Self-healing concrete: could this put A1 out of business?
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3:56Have you heard of this self-healing concrete? Is this really a thing? Adam explains the science behind it and sets the record straight on the future of self-healing concrete.
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Episode 410: Episode 400 - The top 3 things homeowners can do to avoid costly foundation repairs
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5:01To celebrate the 400th episode of the Crackman Podcast, Adam shares the top 3 things homeowners can do to avoid costly foundation repairs.
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Episode 409: Episode 399 - My contractor is using a crack repair kit from Amazon to fix my basement wall crack. Does that work?
4:12
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4:12A1 Foundation Crack Repair runs into unscrupulous contractors who claim to be foundation crack repair specialists, but can it be true? Can contractors simply use an online crack repair kit to fix a foundation crack? In this episode, Adam explains why it’s important to select an experienced and fully vetted foundation crack repair company to fix you…
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Episode 408: Episode 398 - Should I have a foundation crack repaired even if it isn’t leaking?
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2:45
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2:45There are 2 certainties in life: death and concrete will eventually crack. So when a crack appears in your foundation wall, do you need to get it repaired even if it isn’t leaking? The Crackman explains in a special appearance.
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Episode 407: Episode 396 - How A1 helped homeowners avoid a massive repair bill on a block foundation job
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4:58
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4:58A1 Foundation Crack Repair has a long history of saving homeowners money on foundation repair jobs simply because they are reputable, experienced, and fair, not to mention the 10-year warranty and long track record of outstanding workmanship. In this episode, Adam shares an interesting case study on how A1 saved homeowners in Leominster Massachuset…
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Episode 406: Episode 395 - How to turn a simple foundation crack into a really expensive repair
3:36
3:36
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3:36If you have money to burn, it doesn’t hurt to ignore small repair jobs until they become very expensive repairs. In this episode, Adam shares an interesting case study on how a customer turned a small repair job into a very expensive fix.
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Episode 405: Episode 394 - The case of the block foundation and leaky pipe penetration
4:19
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4:19In this episode, Adam shares an interesting case study about a block foundation and leaky pipe penetration.
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Episode 404: Episone 393 - Why are lally columns so important?
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4:32
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4:32If a lally column has integrity issues or is improperly installed, can it cause problems with the structure of the house? Adam shares a cautionary tale about an improperly installed lally column.
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Episode 403: Episode 392 - Why is there water coming into my basement after a water line upgrade?
3:48
3:48
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3:48Why would water start pouring into your basement after a water line upgrade? Did the plumber screw up or could it be something else entirely? The Crack Daddy explains what it could be and how A1 Foundation Crack Repair fixes problems like these.
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Episode 402: Episode 391 - Is there a DIY fix for my stone foundation?
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4:24Stone foundations are often found in old homes and when things age, they often need repair. Is there a low-cost fix for most stone foundations issues? Adam discusses the issue.
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Episode 401: Episode 390 - What happens if you let a basement wall crack go unrepaired for 40 years?
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3:38In this episode, Adam shares an interesting story about a wall crack that went unrepaired for 40 years.
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Episode 400: Episode 389 - What kinds of interesting things grow in basement wall cracks?
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2:48
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2:48In our last podcast, Adam shared a story about ants pouring out of a basement wall crack. Creepy, right? What other kinds of things does A1 Foundation Crack Repair see growing out of old wall cracks? Adam shares a funny story from Dedham MA.
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Episode 399: Episode 388 - The creepiest wall crack repair job you’ll ever see
3:59
3:59
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3:59The wall crack repair business can be mundane at times, but all the years A1 Foundation Crack Repair has been in business, they’ve run into things that totally creeps them out. Check this story out!
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Episode 398: Episode 387 - Why is my precast bulkhead leaking at the bottom of the stairs?
3:40
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3:40We’re in the rainy season of Spring so the basement waterproofing industry business is picking up. In this episode, Adam explains why precast bulkheads leak and how you stop the water from coming in.
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Episode 397: Episode 386 - I have an older house that has a leak at the seam where the floor and wall meet. What can I do about it?
3:33
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3:33It’s kind of expected that an older home will develop a leak at some point. Is the floor & wall seam leak a normal issue A1 Foundation Crack Repair runs into? Adam explains why older homes can develop a leak at the seam where the floor and wall meet and what you can do about it.
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Episode 396: Episode 385 - What types of bulkheads give homeowners the most headaches?
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6:05A bulkhead is a structure that provides access to the basement and there are several different types. In this episode, Adam explains the different types of bulkheads and how A1 Foundation Crack Repair maintains and waterproofs them.
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Episode 395: Episode 384 - My newer home is leaking at the seam where the floor and wall meet. What’s happening there?
5:27
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5:27Is it common to have a leak at the seam where the floor and wall meet in a newer home? One would think newer construction wouldn't have problems like that but occasionally, it does. The CrackDaddy explains why and how he fixes it.
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Episode 394: Episode 383 - My basement smells musty, is there a way to fix that?
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4:29
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4:29Does a musty basement mean you have a water leak somewhere? What could be the problem if a basement smells like mold or mildew? Adam Tracy, The Crack Daddy, explains.
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Episode 393: Episode 382 - How can I waterproof my basement before I finish it?
5:14
5:14
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5:14If a homeowner is spending a lot of money to finish their basement, it’s only natural that they would want some kind of guarantee that they won’t have to rip it up in a year to fix a water leak. Is there something you can do to waterproof a basement to prevent water leaks?
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Episode 392: Episode 381 - People say I need to waterproof my basement. How do I do that?
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4:48
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4:48Basement waterproofing is quite a broad topic. How do you waterproof a basement? Adam explains basement waterproofing at the 30,000 foot level.
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Episode 391: Episode 380 - I have a sump pump, but what happens if my power fails?
5:33
5:33
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5:33Since sump pumps are operated by electricity, what happens if your power fails for a long period of time? Are you at risk of a flooded basement? Adam talks about battery back-up systems for sump pumps.
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Episode 390: Episode 379 - The case of the bulkhead with a cold joint
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3:50
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3:50In this episode, Adam shares an interesting case study about a bulkhead with a cold joint and how he solved this mysterious leak.
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Episode 389: Episode 378 - My neighbor thinks I need a sump pump. Do I really need one?
5:07
5:07
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5:07Sump pumps are often used to pump water out of a basement when water leaks occur. Is that a prime solution or are sump pumps simply a Band-Aid for the real cause of the water problem?
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Episode 388: Episode 377 - The foundation on my new addition is leaking where it meets the old foundation. Why?
3:56
3:56
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3:56Imagine the frustration a homeowner would feel if after all the expense of building an addition, the seam where the old foundation and new foundation meets suddenly starts leaking. What’s going on there?
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Episode 387: Episode 376 - What are common issues found in block foundations?
4:39
4:39
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4:39Most foundations A1 Foundation Crack Repair deals with today are stone foundations and concrete foundations. But there are some structures they come across that have block foundations. What are the common issues they typically see with those?
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Episode 386: Episode 375 - When is it time to replace my lally column?
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5:25
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5:25Lally columns play an important role in holding up your home and keeping the flooring level. Since they’re so critical, how do you know when it’s time to repair or replace one? Adam shares his considerable experience with lally columns and when it’s time to call in a pro to fix one.
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Episode 385: Episode 374 - Why is there always dust and sand by my Stone foundation?
3:44
3:44
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3:44Stone foundations are found in old homes before the requirements of modern construction standards. So, if you are seeing dust and sand next to your stone foundation, is that a sign that it’s failing? Adam explains what to do.
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Episode 384: Episode 373 - That leak in my basement, is it a cracked pipe or a leaky pipe penetration?
4:43
4:43
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4:43Plumbers get a lot of calls to fix leaky pipes when in fact the pipe is fine, but the hole the pipe is going through is the actual culprit. In this episode, Adam shares his experience with leaky pipe penetrations and what you can do about them.
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Episode 383: Episode 372 - My old house has a stone foundation. What should I be doing to maintain it?
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5:17
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5:17A home with a stone foundation would indicate that the home is pretty old. So, if you have a stone foundation, there are some things you should be doing to keep it in good shape. Adam explains.
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Episode 382: Episode 371 - Should I worry about my basement wall crack during the winter?
5:20
5:20
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5:20Winter is here and as we know, homeowners like to postpone crack repairs until they start to leak. How much of a problem are the procrastinators looking at if they wait until Spring to fix a basement wall crack?
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Episode 381: Episode 370 - My basement floor has a crack that is heaving upward. What happened?
5:11
5:11
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5:11A customer recently sent A1 Foundation Crack Repair some pictures of a basement floor that looked like an alien jumped out of it. Why would a basement floor do that?
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Episode 380: Episode 369 - I’m starting to find cracks in my basement floor, should I be worried?
7:06
7:06
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7:06Cracks in concrete are as inevitable as death and taxes. So, if a homeowner starts seeing cracks in their basement floor, what should they do?
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Episode 379: Episode 368 - I’m selling a house with long-time foundation cracks, should I worry about them?
4:53
4:53
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4:53So the scenario is this. A home seller has had a long-time foundation crack in the basement floor or foundation wall. Should they be concerned about it? The CrackDaddy explains the options available.
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Episode 378: Episode 367 - Should I be worried about foundation cracks in the home I am buying?
6:32
6:32
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6:32Imagine a scenario in which a prospective home buyer notices a crack in the basement floor or foundation wall. How troubling is this? Is it something they should have fixed before they agree to a sale? The CrackDaddy opines.
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Episode 377: Episode 366 - With freezing temps on the way, should I hold off on my foundation repair project?
4:41
4:41
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4:41We’re starting to see some freezing temperatures at night. If someone has a foundation crack, should they hold off until Spring to do it given the temperatures needed to cure a repair job?
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Episode 376: Episode 365 - Why is water pouring in through my basement window?
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5:31
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5:31Adam sent over a video showing water pouring through a basement window around the edges. How can something like that happen? Adam explains how water can start pouring through a basement window and what you can do about it.
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