Are all foundation cracks bad?
Foundation cracks are unsettling. They’re not always bad omens, but you should monitor them.
A foundation crack is never pleasant. When homeowners see them, they often overreact and take harmful measures. These aesthetic solutions don’t fix the foundation’s underlying issues, so the problem gets worse. When a professional is called, it’s often too late.
Your home may be settling unevenly without foundation cracks. Sticking doors and windows, gapping ceilings, and uneven floors are signs of foundation settlement. All of these are caused by settling. If you notice any of these, call a professional. A professional will examine your home’s foundation and explain what’s wrong.
This post explains when to call a pro. You want the truth, so keep reading.
Are all foundation cracks repairable?
Unsettling cracks aren’t always the whole story. They may indicate foundation issues, but may not. Although unsightly, some cracks are fine. Cracks are benign.
A hairline crack after the foundation is poured is a harmless crack. Cracks form as concrete dries and cures. These cracks need no action, but you should watch them. When they get bigger, call an expert. Most aren’t cause for alarm.
Cracks in foundations don’t tell us much. That is, you can’t tell much by looking at the crack. We’ve found that soil movement causes most cracks. Because the construction crew didn’t properly prepare the home, it has many cracks. The soil under your home may not have been properly compacted, leaving it prone to shifting due to flooding or natural soil erosion. To figure out why your foundation is cracking, call in professionals as soon as possible. It will save you headaches in the future.
Should you worry about foundation cracks?
Some sinking is normal after a home is built. No matter how much a construction crew compacts the soil under a foundation, it will give way. In a foundation’s first three years, hairline cracks are normal. If you see cracks in concrete block walls or on the home’s exterior, you must act. Any gaps wider than a quarter-inch are cause for concern.
More worrisome than vertical cracks are horizontal ones. Horizontal cracks are more troublesome because they indicate foundation settlement at an alarming rate. If you see horizontal cracks, your home is stressed. We need pros.
Some signs your foundation may be in trouble:
Windows and doors out of alignment; bowing walls
Wall cracks
Jagged cracks
Sagging floors
Tiles and bricks crack
What’s the Best Foundation Repair Option?
The best foundation crack fix depends on many factors. The choice of solution should be made by experts. But we wanted to show you some options.
A professional will recommend one of the following solutions based on the severity of your basement or crawl space cracks:
Push Piers: This nearly universal solution works with most types of soil, but they’re recommended for homes on questionable soil. Push piers are dug into the bedrock. It will be stabilized and leveled.
Helical piers are a good solution for sunken porches and chimneys. Like push piers, helical piers are screwed into the ground. Helical piers can permanently stabilize and lift a foundation’s position.
This solution is different from the two above because it’s only for slab-built homes. If a slab-foundation home sinks, foundation repair professionals will use slab piers to stabilize and lift it. It protects the interior walls and prolongs the structure’s life.
Crawl space jacks fix sagging and uneven floors. Crawl space support jacks permanently reinforce floor joists and level floors. They’re designed to prevent sagging and settlement and are easily adjustable.
Wall Anchors: If the walls in your basement are bulging or bowing due to hydrostatic pressure, our wall anchor solution could stabilize the structure and protect your home. Over time, these anchors can be tightened to restore the wall’s original position.
This patented foundation repair solution is one of the most effective today. Our wall brace system stabilizes and straightens bowing walls.
Carbon Fiber Wall Reinforcements: This is a great option for homes with limited foundation repair space. Carbon fiber wall reinforcements will stop bowing. But they won’t fix the walls.
We’ve helped many local homeowners at RLM Retrofit Foundation. Contact local foundation inspection and repair experts for a free Foundation Inspection Near Me Studio City and repair quote today to learn how to protect your home’s health.
