Your foundation is one of the most critical elements of your home's construction. A failing foundation can lead to damage elsewhere in the house and can even cause your home to become uninhabitable. For these reasons, many homeowners are terrified when they discover cracks or other signs of damage. While you should never ignore cracks or other problems with your foundation, it is essential to understand why they happen. Uncovering the root cause of foundation damage can offer you the opportunity to repair it before it becomes fatal, potentially saving you tens of thousands of dollars in the future.
Understanding Your Foundation Cracks
Cracks come in many shapes and sizes, and the particular type of break in your foundation can provide you with plenty of insight into its root cause. In general, foundation repair contractors will classify cracks based on how close they are to vertical. The closer a crack is to being straight up and down, the less likely it is to be a severe problem. As a general rule, cracks that run vertical or near vertical are the result of downward pressure due to settling, while horizontal cracks are usually the result of inward pressure from soil or water.
Note that you should usually be checking for cracks from inside of your basement. Many homes have made use of a cosmetic concrete façade covering a water barrier layer, so cracks or damage visible on the outside of your foundation may be purely aesthetic. If you can see a smooth, black surface underneath the crack, then the damage is likely to be cosmetic.
Fixing Failing Foundations
Long-term foundation repairs are a two-step process:
- Find and address the root cause of the failure
- Fill and restore the cracked section
Before attempting any repairs, your contractor will try to determine why the crack has appeared in the first place. Often, cracks that run vertically are simply the result of your home settling. If this is the case, then it is possible that no additional work is required beyond filling and sealing the crack itself. For cracks that are the result of pressure from outside of the home, it may be necessary first to locate and repair the problem. In extreme cases, this may involve significant landscaping work or foundation reinforcement.
Why You Shouldn't Wait
Most importantly, don't wait to have foundation damage evaluated and repaired. Even if a crack appears to be minor, it may be a harbinger of more severe trouble. A foundation repair contractor can determine the underlying cause of the problem and offer you cost-effective solutions to address the issue quickly. Ignoring cracks in your home's foundation can lead to additional damage that can quickly run into the four- or five-figure range, making it all the more essential to deal with problems as soon as you notice them.
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