The average house weighs 50 tons. All of this weight is sitting on top of the foundation, which is necessary to keep out the moisture, insulate the home, and provide stability from the ground.
Although foundations are supposed to last forever, there are things that can damage it and cause foundation cracks. By learning more about foundation cracks, you can learn to spot them and minimize the damage to your home.
Do you want to learn more about foundation crack repairs? Keep reading this guide for everything you need to know about how to spot cracks in your foundations and foundation repairs.
What Causes Foundation Damage
When it comes to foundation damage and cracks, it is important that you learn what causes them. This way, you can find ways to protect your foundation and avoid unnecessary damage in the future.
Most often, damage to the foundation is caused by water. As water drains toward the soil near your foundation, the varying water levels can cause the foundation to shrink or swell.
This leads to increased water pressure which can lead to cracks or other types of damage to your foundation.
Types of Foundation Cracks
The two most common types of foundation cracks are vertical or diagonal cracks and horizontal cracks.
If you have a vertical or diagonal crack in your foundation, this is often due to your foundation settling and is not a major problem. Unlike other types of cracks, this is not always a sign of structural damage. However, these cracks are more problematic if they are large enough to insert a dime.
A horizontal crack is typically a more serious problem that can lead to structural damage and may require you to replace your foundation.
This often happens when water drains toward your foundation and saturates the ground near your foundation. This will lead to increased water pressure and can cause your foundation walls to crack and bow.
Dangers of Foundation Damage
While it may not seem like a big deal, any type of damage to your foundation can eventually be quite serious. Because of this, you should never neglect even the smallest bit of damage to your foundation.
There are many dangers of an unstable foundation. First, it can lead to structural damage. If your foundation sinks and weakens, it can cause serious damage to the rest of your home.
It can also lead to significant water damage to your home. Water often leaks through vertical cracks in a foundation, which can soak into the soil underneath your home and cause your foundation to settle or shift.
This water damage can also lead to flooding in your basement or crawlspace. If this happens, you can protect your foundation with basement waterproofing services or crawl sapce encapsulation.
How to Spot Cracks in Your Foundation
There are many signs that you may have a foundation crack, even if you cannot see it.
One of the most common signs of foundation damage is strange odors in your home. This happens because there are gaps in the structure of your home, which allows air to seep up from below the house.
You may also notice that a crack in your foundation causes damage to the rest of your home. This happens when the foundation settles and the house begins to move.
If this happens, it may result in cracked or bowed walls, uneven flooring, crooked doorways, and more.
Finally, you may simply be able to see a crack in your foundation. If you need help identifying a crack in your foundation, you can get a free foundation inspection from a foundation repair company.
How to Avoid Foundation Damage
The best way you can protect your home is by finding ways to avoid foundation damage. Once the leaks and cracks have started to form, it is much more difficult to repair.
One thing that you can do is improve your landscaping. Having yard drains or french drains in the yard help carry the water away from your home to prevent pooling near your foundation.
Similarly, grading your yard can help, as it naturally directs water away from your home.
Finally, you may need to fix or clean your gutters. Something as simple as extending your downspouts will keep water away from your foundation!
How to Repair Vertical Cracks
There are some DIY solutions that many homeowners do to repair vertical cracks. These include filling the wall crack with hydraulic cement, epoxy, and even caulk. However, these solutions are often not permanent.
One of the best ways you can repair vertical cracks that leak water in your foundation is through interior waterproofing services. These services ensure that the water leaking into your basement is re-routed away from your home.
They can catch existing leaks and can collect excess groundwater, which even helps protect against hydrostatic pressure or a rising water table.
If you have vertical cracks in your foundation, it may be best to hire a professional company for foundation crack repair.
Need Help With Foundation Crack Repair Services?
When you find cracks in your foundation, it is essential that you act quickly. Otherwise, you may deal with flooded basements and other major repairs for your home.
If you need help with foundation crack repair or basement waterproofing services, Armored Basement Waterproofing can help! We will inspect your basement and can help you identify cracks or other issues with your foundation.
Contact us today to learn more about our basement waterproofing services and to see how they can help protect your foundation.
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