4 Things You Should Know About Foundation Cracks

Apr 06, 2020

Foundation walls are designed to support the weight of your house and to resist moisture in its surroundings. When foundations work, you get to live in a stable and dry environment. When they crack, moisture seeps into your home and it damages valuables like carpeting, furniture, and keepsakes.

The foundation of your home needs to be routinely checked to ensure that there are no damages and there is no need for replacement or structural repairs. The assistance of an expert crack repair contractor is very effective as we can assess any damage that has occurred to your foundation, and determine the best plan of action.

Is your Foundation Crack Normal or Dangerous?

If unsure about your foundation cracks, monitor them and see if they are increasing in size. Mark those cracks and keep a note of the dates. While settling cracks might not expand over the period and can be repaired with ease but foundation cracks caused by water pressure from outside of the wall can expand quite quickly and cause serious issues, which then require a crack repair contractor’s assistance.

Types of Foundation Crack

Vertical and Diagonal Foundation Cracks: Diagonal or vertical crack in the foundation wall is quite common in new construction, as the crack in the foundation wall is the result of settling in the concrete foundation. If the crack is located near the corner of the house and is wider than 1/8 inch, then it indicates a more serious foundation issue.

Horizontal Foundation Cracks: The impact of a Horizontal foundation crack is more severe as they are caused by hydrostatic pressure coming from outside of the wall. Even though most of the foundation is designed to handle the pressure of water, the additional pressure due to heavy rain or floodingneeds immediate repairing. If you see a horizontal crack, then it is better to call a crack repair expert/contractor as soon as possible.

When to contact the expert

Although it is very uncommon, a foundation may be considered as beyond repair if the investment is not adequate to restore the house. This mostly occurs when a foundation has completely collapsed and the damage is irreversible. You should immediately call the crack repair contractorif you see some serious issues like bulging of walls due to hydrostatic pressure, weak floors above the foundation, and cracks that change directions or cracks located near the corner that are wider than 1/8 inch.

Water Destruction
Water damage can occur at any given period and can make matters worse if the damage is not detected at its inception. The molds and cracks will start to develop and spread throughout the walls because of the water damage. The mold and cracks due to water flooding can be protected, if a property is dried, the cracks are fixed, ventilated, and disinfected immediately.

It is better that you seek an expert’s advice for crack repair because, if you turn a blind eye towards the cracks on the walls, that could lead to some serious damage to your precious home.

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