Foundation Cracks: Why They Shouldn’t Be Ignored

The strength of a building depends on its foundation. The stronger the building, the more protection you have from the harsh weather conditions happening on the outside. Here’s why you should worry about foundation cracks and what should be done if you have them in your home.

Foundation Cracks: A Cause for Concern

Foundation cracks don't simply go away over time; instead, they typically get worse. In addition to not getting any better, the longer you wait to fix them, the more costly the repair can become.

One of the issues with foundation cracks is that they can develop so slowly that you may not even notice them getting bigger. You may slip into the habit of leaving them until later or forgetting about them altogether. Just remember that foundational issues can ultimately reduce your home's value and the safety of those who live inside it.

Why Should You Repair Basement Cracks?

If your basement wall is cracking due to foundation issues, you may see evidence of this throughout your home. This could manifest itself in sticking windows and doors, sloping floors, and gapping ceilings.

If you work on the basement crack repair, it may take care of these other problems as well.

Concrete Cracks That Lead to Shrinkage

Concrete can crack over time, especially early on while it cures and shrinks. If you find a short hairline crack in your foundation wall, specifically if it occurs near the seam where the initial foundation pour took place, it may not be that big of a concern. Foundation cracks of this type usually don't lead to a structural issue that will worsen over time.

Foundation Cracks Due to Excessive Stress

Poured concrete walls experiencing extreme stress may begin to fail from the corners inwards. This will typically produce longer diagonal cracks that originate from the corners of the foundation walls. These foundations cracks usually occur at the upper corners.

Block foundation walls most often bow inwards as the mortar joints break, causing a horizontal crack midway up the basement wall. You may also notice stairstep cracks at different levels as the joints fail around other concrete blocks. Like cracks in poured walls, foundation cracks in block walls indicate that the foundation is under extreme stress.

Foundation cracks such as these could indicate a structural problem that needs to be addressed. Depending on the origin of the issue, most foundations can be stabilized and potentially even lifted back to the intended position using specialized equipment. This scenario would most likely be less costly than having to do a full foundation repair.

Where to Begin Your Foundation Repairs

The first step is to notice and diagnose the problem. Here at Foundation Fix, we have several experts who can assist those located in the St. Catharines and Niagara region. If you are concerned about any cracks in your foundation, please contact us at info@foundationfix.ca or call us at 905-931-0303.