Your foundation is not merely a concrete slab but rather, a firm earth your home is built on. There are times when you may notice some cracks either from the inside or the outside. As a homeowner, you may wonder whether these are merely surface defects or maybe the problem extends deeper than what you see.
This article explores five major signs that cracks in your foundation require immediate intervention. With this information, you will be able to take action before the problem grows to be a huge menace.
The Crack is Enlarging, Expanding, or Getting Longer
Repair House Foundation Crack Now!
Foundation cracks must be fixed quickly. Since the forces that produced them are still at work on your foundation, they spread gradually. You can compare it to a crack in the windshield. A small crack is fine for a while, but when lines start to radiate out from it each day, things aren’t that good.
Consider marking using a pencil the end where the cracks end on the wall and note the date alongside it. Observe it for one or two months. If the crack has progressed past your marks or has opened irreversibly, its condition is unstable.
The Crack Has a Stair-Step Pattern
If your home is brick or cinder block, look at the crack pattern. A diagonal crack right down the center of a solid concrete wall is less scary. However, one that runs along the mortar lines, up and down like a set of stairs, is one of the most typical signs of foundation shift.
This step-stair pattern tells us that the footing has shifted and the wall over it settles off-level. The most vulnerable part is the mortar, so it’s usually the first to deteriorate, hence the distinctive pattern. This is never, or rarely, a settlement crack. It indicates that your foundation is no longer level, and the problem is affecting the integrity of your walls.
The Crack is Associated with Water in Your Basement
There are two types of damage caused by water intrusion through a crack in the foundation. One, it ruins your basement and causes mold, mildew, and damage to property. Two, and worst of all, foundation issues that typically originate from groundwater.
You may notice that the ground swells outward and against walls. This usually happens if there is a lot of water inside it. This phenomenon is referred to as hydrostatic pressure. Since it keeps pushing and pulling until it develops fissures, it puts strain on the concrete. The result is a vicious cycle that must be addressed as soon as possible.
An Obvious Gap between Floors or in Walls and Ceilings
Look for cracks around the area where the ceiling and your wall meet or where the floor and your wall join together. If the trim is cracking apart, it could be a result of foundation movement. When the foundation is settling or moving, it’s going to move the whole house frame that’s sitting on it.
As the shift happens, it ends up pulling and pushing different sections of the structure. This creates a separation in walls, ceilings, and floors. This is an issue that you don’t want to go on for too long. The main reason behind this is that it will end up creating a problem that extends quite deeply.
Your Windows and Doors Won’t Close Any More
You’ve watched it happen to you and your friends, where a door that once closed with ease now catches on the frame. Or a window that once locked up tight now must be jammed forcefully into position. Many individuals blame water-logged wood, but when several doors and windows stick, and particularly on one level, the foundation is the first suspect.
The uneven terrain puts the frames out of square. That’s a dead giveaway of differential settlement, where one side of the foundation settles more rapidly than the other, distorting the whole house frame.
Foundation cracks shouldn’t be ignored. This is because they can eventually cause structural damage and even compromise your home’s safety. Since you don’t want such shortcomings, it’s crucial to be on the lookout for the aforementioned warning signs.
For the best possible results, consider seeking professional assistance. At Dry Master Waterproofing, we specialize in identifying the root cause of foundation issues. We can therefore come up with tailored solutions that will ensure long-lasting protection for your home. So, don’t wait for the problem to worsen. Instead, let’s help keep your home strong and stable for many years to come.
