Why Is It Necessary for Me to Fix the Cracks in the Foundation?
Everyone ought to be able to see through this. Cracks can propagate and become more severe with the passage of time, which can add to the difficulties you are already experiencing and make it more expensive to treat them. If you do nothing to address the issue, cracks will also allow moisture to enter your basement. This will happen if your basement is below ground level. Mold is a fungus that thrives in moist environments and can grow almost anywhere there is moisture. In addition to this, they offer a safe haven for insects, the likes of which can contaminate your food and water and spread diseases to you and your family. Another potential threat is water damage, which is especially likely if the fissures in your foundation are wider than one-sixteenth of an inch. Dirty floodwater has the potential to leave stains on your clothing and carpets, and it also has the potential to create an environment conducive to the growth of mold inside your home. If you had repaired the fracture in a timely manner, you would have been able to put the money that you would have spent on clean-up and remediation toward the enhancement of your home. There is a good chance that these costs will total several hundreds of dollars.
Since the foundation of your home, which includes the concrete walls that surround a basement or crawl space, is responsible for supporting the weight of the entire structure, it is only natural for you to be concerned if you notice cracks in the concrete. A basement or crawl space is a lower level of your house. Thankfully, there are a significant number of foundation cracks that are not severe enough to call for the assistance of a professional. In point of fact, repairing a foundation crack can be considered a do-it-yourself project provided that the split does not compromise the structural soundness of the building.
The best way to determine whether or not a crack is a sign of a significant issue with the building’s structure is to have it inspected by a foundation contractor or a structural engineer. This is the method that will give you the most peace of mind. However, before you begin keying in numbers, there are some general guidelines that you should keep in mind. These guidelines will assist you in determining whether or not you should be concerned about the situation. Find out where your crack falls on the spectrum of possible foundation crack repairs, and then continue reading to learn about the options that are open to you for fixing foundation cracks.
In the event that your foundation is found to have only a few fractures, it will not be necessary for you to replace it.
Within a year of the completion of construction, hairline cracks on the interior of basement walls that are roughly the width of a sewing thread typically appear. These cracks are usually invisible to the naked eye. The corners of the basement, as well as the areas around the windows and doors, are where you will most frequently find these cracks. This is due to a phenomenon known as “settling,” which describes the gradual process by which the concrete shrinks slightly as it cures.
There is no reason to be concerned so long as the cracks are no wider than a human hair in diameter. One coat of paint specifically formulated for use on masonry, such as INSL-X Tuff Crete Acrylic Concrete Paint, is all that is required to repair settlement cracks of the type described above. The issue will be resolved in a very short amount of time.
You should check to see if a new, narrow crack will grow before you reach for the crack sealer. If it does, then you will need to use the crack sealer.
If you find a new crack in your wall that isn’t a hairline but is still no wider than 1/8 of an inch, it’s probably due to settling, and it probably won’t be an issue until it keeps getting worse. If you find a new crack in your wall that isn’t a hairline but is still no wider than 1/8 of an inch, it’s probably due Put a mark with a pencil at both the beginning and the end of the crack and then write the date next to each mark. Another option is to take a picture of a tape measure that is aligned next to the crack in the concrete. You’ll be able to keep an eye on the crack in this way. In addition, you need to take the measurement of the width at the point where it is the widest and either write it on the wall or make a note of it on the photo.
Have a conversation with someone who is knowledgeable about foundations.
Find qualified foundation specialists in your area, such as RLM Retrofit Foundation, and get cost quotes for your project that are both free and do not require any sort of commitment from your end. For all of your Foundation Inspection Bell Canyon and repair needs for the foundation, please give us a call at (800) 824-6699.
