Step 2: Prepare the Cracks for Repairįor cracks wider than a hairline, clear out any loose material, such as broken or cracked bits of concrete, dust and debris, using an old flat head screwdriver and a stiff wire brush. If it looks like the crack has caused part of the wall to move away from the rest of the wall, or if the crack is excessively large, call in a professional for an evaluation, as there could be a major structural problem that won’t be cured by a patch. These are less of a worry than cracks caused by settling or moisture infiltration, as long as they’re taken care of immediately and not allowed to grow or expand. Cracks from water usually are vertical or diagonal.Ĭracks from expansion and contraction of the foundation’s concrete are usually hairline thin and are vertical or diagonal. In addition, soil swells when it is wet, which creates excess pressure and stress on concrete. As the water works its way into the concrete, the pressure inside the foundation wall can lead to cracking. Too much moisture can lead to water infiltrating the concrete and seeping through to the other side inside your basement, which can spell problems as well. The second most common cause is excessive moisture around the foundation. This is usually the most common reason for foundation cracking.
Settling soil usually causes horizontal cracks and can be thin or wide, depending on the extent of the soil movement.
In most cases, you can determine what is causing foundation cracks by the cracks themselves. The stress of these factors weakens the foundation’s concrete and once cracks begin, they often can continue to grow, potentially into a major problem if not taken care of. Water can begin to infiltrate the foundation walls and the concrete expands and contracts due to changes in temperature. Over time, soil around the foundation settles. In order to repair cracks and address the reason why they are happening, you need to investigate your home’s foundation. There are a number of reasons that foundation cracks occur. The faster you fix cracks before they can grow, the easier and cheaper the repairs will be.
Take a look at your foundation now to check for any cracks that need to be repaired. Not only do cracks in your foundation look bad, but they can also lead to the eventual loss of structural integrity, which can mean high-cost repairs. Your foundation literally supports your entire house, so you have to make sure it is sound.
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