What Causes Foundation Cracks
A leading cause of foundation cracks is faulty construction.
Homeowners often have issues with cracks in their home’s foundations. These cracks can lead to significant problems throughout the whole house. But what causes these cracks in the first place? There are several possible causes of foundational cracks.
In this article, we will examine some of the most common causes. These causes are:
Poor construction
Soil pressure/settlement
Concrete/mortar shrinking
We will also help the property owner determine what steps to take if they discover cracks in their foundation. This kind of damage is a scary discovery for any homeowner, but it is a problem that comes with a solution.
Faulty construction
A leading cause of foundation cracks is faulty construction. The construction company that initially built the foundation performed poor work and might have used average-quality concrete or undersized footings when building the foundation. It could also mean that the construction company did not use adequate reinforcement. Regardless, the poor construction practices resulted in a problematic foundation.
Soil pressure/settlement
Soil expands when wet. When the soil expands, it can put pressure on the foundation's walls. Over time, this pressure can cause cracks, most likely horizontal or diagonal cracks. Likewise, heavy rain can wash away or compress the soil beneath the foundation. We call this “soil settlement,” which can cause vertical cracks in the foundation. A water leak can also cause soil settlement.
Concrete/mortar shrinking
Another common cause of foundational cracks is shrinking concrete or mortar. Concrete and mortar can shrink over time, causing cracks in the foundation. In most cases, these cracks are minimal and do not compromise the foundation’s integrity.
What to do if there are foundation cracks
For property owners concerned about cracks in their foundation, contact a reputable foundation crack repair company. The first thing that one of these companies will do is inspect the foundation to uncover the root cause of the cracking and the severity of the damage. If repair is needed, the service technician will schedule a time for repairs.
Repairs should be made sooner rather than later to limit the damage. Foundation issues can be scary for any homeowner, but with the right help, the problem can be fixed quickly and affordably.
Accurate Builders of the Chesapeake provide foundation, basement, and crawlspace installation and repair for the greater Baltimore area homeowners.
