The use of concrete in construction is vital. Our sidewalks, homes, and driveways are made of this manufactured material. We rely massively on it in our daily lives. It is everywhere. Concrete, however, does not possess infallibility. Water can penetrate it because it is porous. Furthermore, if it is subjected to sufficient pressure and weight, it can crack. It follows that concrete foundations will eventually develop cracks, at least in part. This article will explain what causes wall cracks and how to spot them. You'll also learn what you need to do to save your home.
WHAT CAUSES CRACKS IN BASEMENT WALLS?
It is most often either settling or hydrostatic pressure that causes basement walls to crack. The two are neither preventable nor controllable, as they are both determined by natural forces that impact our environment.
Settling
Your basement was constructed by excavating the ground when the contractor built your house. There is a possibility the builders dug down untouched soil, depending on the age and location of the construction. There has been no movement or disturbance in an extremely long period.
By the time the builder had poured the concrete footers and built your foundation, new weight had begun to accrue in that area. Those numbers increased as builders built your house, furniture moved in, and people regularly visited your home. The building can exert more weight/pressure into the adjacent property by leveraging all of these factors.
Then, add in seasonal variations such as freezing, thawing, droughts, and floods. Why is it not surprising that the earth will move a little bit? A home settles as a result of these slight movements. Over time, a few hairline cracks may appear. Homeowners should fill and repair these, but they shouldn't be unduly concerned about them.
Hydrostatic Pressure
You can describe hydrostatic pressure as what occurs when water is absorbed into the soil around your home. In addition, the ground expands in all directions once it begins to absorb water. Your basement walls are put under pressure, causing them to crack. Because there is abundant moisture in the ground, these cracks may also let in water.
Once a crack is letting water in, it should be repaired by a professional. Please do not attempt to perform foundation repairs on your own. Many of the best materials and methods are unavailable to consumers. If you wait too long to correct a crack, the wider it will become. Cracks of this type often begin vertically. The situation becomes more urgent when the cracks form horizontally or stair-stepped cracks appear.
WHEN IS IT TIME TO TAKE ACTION?
If your foundation has cracks, you should have them repaired immediately. That's the best way to make sure things don't get worse.
After all, what do you think? Occasionally, it is necessary to repair your foundation as soon as possible. It is at this point when serious problems, such as structural instability become apparent.
Uneven Settlement of Your Foundation
As we discussed earlier, settling is a certainty and natural part of house construction. Sometimes, however, it indicates that something more serious is occurring. A corner of your home may be soft or eroded, for example. This corner will pull against the other three, causing unexpected stress on the structure, ultimately resulting in separation.
When a Wall Begins to Buckle or Bow
There are two types of cracks caused by severe hydrostatic pressure, depending on your foundation type. The concrete in your basement will crack horizontally if it has been poured. Concrete block walls are susceptible to developing either horizontal cracks or stair-step cracks.
Cracks, regardless of their type, are a sign of doom. There are signs that the wall's structural integrity has been compromised due to hydrostatic pressure, and you should seek to resolve this as soon as possible. This wall is likely to collapse if not repaired. Bowing walls can be repaired using a range of methods depending on the degree of bowing and the layout of your property.