As we all know, no home is perfect. Whether your home is old or newly constructed, it is prone to developing cracks in the foundation due to various
reasons. After construction, every building shifts into position.
You can find cracks in your homes either in its structural components or cosmetic finish and most of them do not really affect the structural integrity
of the building. However it is in your interest to avoid water seepage into the basement and accompanying health related problems. Those living in your
home could develop conditions such as allergies and asthma attacks due to the molds and mildews formation in damp environments.
There are different types of foundation cracks:
Shrinkage Cracks
- Shrinkage cracks usually occur in newly poured foundation. This happens during the process of shrinking and curing of the concrete. Though shrinkage
cracks are not structurally damaging, they result in water seepage into the basement. Shrinkage cracks in a poured concrete foundation can be
recognized with ease.
- Shrinkage cracks are usually smaller than 1/8th inches.
- They are vertical occurring only in the wall of the foundation and do not extend along the structure.
- Usually, you can find shrinkage cracks in the centre of the third length of the foundation wall.
Horizontal Cracks
- Horizontal cracks can be found in houses that have a basement, usually on the concrete wall of the foundation. If you locate a horizontal crack that
runs through the foundation along the basement length this usually indicates a major problem where the foundation is unable to bear the weight of the
soil surrounding it. The crack is a result of the huge pressure applied on the foundation by the soil.
Foundation walls are usually built in such a manner that they take enormous pressure loads. However due to any reason, if your foundation develops a
full length horizontal crack, then it is time to act immediately and seal the crack.
Settlement Cracks
- Settlement cracks in the foundation are generally vertical and extend completely through the structure. The cracks usually follow the mortar joints
in walls made of bricks.
Short-term one time settlement is the cause of most of the settlement cracks we find. It is very rare to find a building affected by ongoing
settlement. If you are planning on purchasing a home, it is essential to take a home inspector with you to identify if the settlement is ongoing or one
time before closing the deal.
You can differentiate between one time and ongoing settlement with the help of the settlement crack size. If the crack is larger in size, it is most
probably due to an ongoing movement. If, on the other hand, the crack is sized lesser than ¼ inches, then it may be due to a one-time crack.
You can also identify a settlement crack with the direction of movement. For instance, a vertical crack is a typical example of a settlement crack. You
can find crevices and bumps fitting like puzzle pieces.
You must be concerned about ongoing movement if the settlement crack previously repaired re-cracks. These are some of the major
types of foundation cracks. After identifying them, it is important to call in experts or repair them with the help of our top quality DIY foundation
crack repair kits.