Concrete is made of cement, gravel and water. When the water starts to evaporate, the remaining ingredients then harden into a solid slab of concrete. Unfortunately, this portion of the process can cause the concrete to shrink a little bit, and this results in hairline cracks in the slab. While this kind of crack doesn't threaten the structural integrity of the house, it does provide an opening for groundwater, insects and even radon gas to pass through.
To know if you need assistance, take notice of the direction of the crack. If you have a horizontal structural crack, then it isn't anything to worry about. If you see vertical cracks, or cracks that look like a staircase, they indicate a far more serious problem and you may require structural crack repairs.
If it's a hairline crack, these aren't very serious and can be easily repaired. Even if the magnitude isn't as severe (i.e. bulging or slanting), it's worth being repaired, as having smaller cracks repaired early can prevent bigger problems and cracks in the future.
Most horizontal cracks happen with frost damage. Freezing temperatures can actually cause the concrete to shrink. It can also be caused from an excess of pressure on the foundation from wet soil. The most important thing to note is that if you see a bulging crack, this could mean that the home is slowly sliding off of its footing and needs to be taken care of immediately.
Please do remember that if you see large, recurring cracks or bulging walls inside your home, don't try to fix these conditions! Instead, call a professional so that he or she can handle it. That's where we come in!
Our foundation repair experts can provide you with a free structural inspection, giving you peace of mind that your foundation is sound. We can also help you with leaky basement cracks, crawl spaces and vapor barriers. If you have a questionable crack in your foundation, or just want to ask us a few questions, feel free to go to our contact Pioneer Basement page for personal contact with a foundation expert.
If you are in need of foundation repair, contact us today!
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On the Healthy Home Show, Steve Andras and Joe Pires of Pioneer Basement discuss topics that affect the health and safety of your home.
