Do Foundation Cracks Need Repair

Do Foundation Cracks Need Repair

The concrete walls surrounding your crawl space or basement, also known as your home's foundation, support the whole weight of the house. If you find cracks in the foundation, you might be shocked and wondering what steps you should take next. Oftentimes, many cracks in the concrete are not serious enough to get a professional repair by a waterproofing company, and can actually be fixed on your own.

These cracks can be an eyesore and are usually non-structural shrinkage cracks (hairline cracks). They are normally caused by shrinkage during the concrete curing process, and will not affect your home's structural integrity. However, a structural crack is more serious and needs to be repaired by a professional. In order to determine what type of foundation crack you have, we recommend that a foundation contractor or basement waterproofing specialist come take a look at it. However, before you start calling, we will go over both non-structural and structural cracks so you know exactly what to look out for.

What Causes Foundation Cracks?
A lot of different factors cause foundation cracks to form, some include but are not limited to:

• Soil that wasn’t compacted before construction. If soil isn’t thoroughly compacted before construction begins, unfortunately, the heavy structure built on top will start sinking into the ground unevenly which can lead to great foundation damage.
• Expansive soil. Expansive soil is soil filled with large amounts of clay. This can cause a lot of issues for construction because when it soaks up moisture, it swells up and then shrinks when it dries. This creates a lot of unnecessary soil movement, which can cause structural problems. 
• Changes in the weather. If a house is built during the dry season on top of expansive soil, the soil will swell during the rainy season, causing damage to the home's foundation.
• Drainage around the foundation. Too much or not enough water in the soil around your foundation can cause major issues. If you have poor drainage around the foundation, it can cause a lot of pressure to build up in the ground which will press up against the foundation walls. The walls can crack and slope inward if the pressure isn't relieved.
• Soil creep. Over time, soil creep can cause foundation issues if your home is built on a slope. The soil at the top of the slope will make its way down, resulting in the foundation moving sideways.
  

Structural Cracks Vs. Non-Structural Cracks

Not all foundation cracks should cause alarm, as there are different types of cracks. Structural cracks are more serious and are caused by foundation movement. If not repaired properly and immediately, the cracks will eventually cause damage to the foundation. Non-structural cracks, however, are caused by concrete shrinkage during the curing process and do not affect the home's structural integrity. However, if you have non-structural cracks, that does not necessarily mean you are in the clear. Vertical basement wall cracks can allow water to seep into your home, leading to wet basement walls and sometimes even flooding and mold growth.

Structural Cracks

Structural cracks are found in poured concrete walls and concrete block foundation walls. If you notice structural cracks in your basement walls, we highly advise you to call a professional waterproofing company right away to come in and find a solution to the problem.

• Wider than 1/10 inches
• Usually wider at one end
• Gets bigger over time
• Big cracks can be horizontal, vertical or diagonal
• Can go across ceiling and down walls

Non-Structural Cracks

Non-structural cracks do not threaten a building’s structural integrity and oftentimes are caused by concrete shrinkage. These cracks may be unpleasing to the eye, but they will not cause immediate damage to your home's foundation. However, this does not mean they cannot still cause damage later on. If you notice any of the following, this may indicate that the non-structural crack is getting worse and we recommend calling an experienced foundation repair contractor.

• You have cracks that are less than 1/10 inch and notice they are getting wider and bigger
• Water is getting into your basement through a vertical crack
• The crack that was only on one concrete block wall has expanded to other blocks. This might mean you have a structural crack.

How To Prevent Foundation Cracks

Our number one tip in preventing any sort of foundation crack is to have good drainage around your home's foundation. After all, most foundation issues are caused by water. If there is nowhere for the water to drain off, pressure can build up against the wall. If the pressure is not relieved, cracks will form and the wall can eventually cave inward.

• Clean your gutters often because if it gets clogged, water can run down the side of the house and into the ground.
• If your downspout is too short, it may not be effective as it will dump the water next to the foundation. If this is the case, purchase a downspout extension so it helps channel the water as far away from the foundation as possible.
• Get an exterior drain tile installed all around the outside of your foundation. The drain tile will help take out excess water in the soil and move it away from the foundation.
• It doesn't hurt to get an interior drain tile installed as well. Similar to an exterior drain tile, its purpose is to make sure the soil under the foundation doesn't get too wet with water.

If you believe you have a foundation crack in your basement that could cause harm to your home's foundation, call the experts at Waterproofing Parsippany today! We have all the tools, knowledge and experience to come and diagnose the problem. Give us a call today for a fast, free inspection and quote.