Any time you see a crack in the foundation of your house, it doesn’t sit well. You never want to think that your home could be compromised because of a crack. It doesn’t matter how big or small the crack may be; you will be able to sleep better knowing if you are in danger or not. If you find you have a crack in the foundation of your home, you may not need to panic. Lifeline Home Inspections would like to talk about different types of wall and foundation cracks and what they indicate.
Monitor Foundation Movement
Often times, a home inspector will write the words, “monitor for movement” or “monitoring of the area is recommended over time. If changes occur, further evaluation and possible repair is recommended by a qualified contractor” when a crack in the foundation is found. Any time you have a crack in your concrete foundation, it will grow and change over time. You should never leave a crack in concrete alone and hope that it goes away. At the very least, the crack should be fixed with a concrete crack injection. Many people try to use caulking to fix a crack and it will not do a good enough job. Depending on how big the crack is and where it is located, you will need to use different means to fix it. You will want to get to the bottom of the issue to avoid more serious problems down the line. Just because not every crack means you have structural issues, they shouldn’t be ignored.
Vertical Cracks in Foundation Wall
When dealing with weather, there is a natural freeze-thaw cycle that affects concrete. It makes concrete contract and expand. When you have a vertical crack, it is usually nonstructural. Vertical cracks are caused by this natural freeze-thaw cycle over time. You don’t need to panic about this type of crack unless it is causing a leak. In that case, you can end up facing bigger problems with mold and water damage if left untreated.
Horizontal Foundation Cracks Above Grade
In the case of horizontal cracks, you should be worried. This is usually a sign of some sort of structural damage and shouldn’t be taken lightly. You will want to have a contractor that specializes in fixing foundations come and evaluate it as soon as possible. When you have a horizontal crack in your foundation, it is often caused by poor drainage and grading of soil around the foundation. When there is poor drainage, the water is saturated into the ground around the foundation and the pressure can exceed the weight-bearing capacity of the walls and cause damage to them.
Slab Foundation Floor Cracks
Cracks in the slab foundation is not usually a cause for great alarm as they are generally easy to fix. They are also usually caused by the freeze-thaw cycle or are caused as the concrete slab was cured. They can cause leaking which can be a problem so they shouldn’t be ignored.
Residential & Commercial Property Inspections in Fulton, Spalding, Coweta, Douglas, Pike, Upson & Fayette County, GA
Cracks in your foundation are always a little unsettling. You should always have any suspicious cracks looked at by a professional right away to make sure your home’s foundation isn’t putting you or your family in danger. Call Lifeline Home Inspections today for a thorough home inspection and comprehensive report.
