Wall Cracks

Wall cracks are a common indicator that something problematic could be occurring in the foundation of your home or business. When you notice wall cracks starting to appear in your home or business, it usually means that your foundation is moving. The only good thing about these cracks is that they can actually be an indicator of the underlying problem you are experiencing. Following is a list of the different types of cracks and what they mean:

  • Angled or Horizontal Cracks – Bowing
  • Angled Only – Settlement or Sinking
  • Combination of Vertical and Horizontal – Bow or Settlement
  • Center Converging – Bow or Settlement
  • Horizontal Only – Bowing
  • Stair Steps – Heaving or Settlement
  • Vertical Only – Heaving or Settlement
  • Wider at the Top Vertical – Side or Differential Settlement
  • Wider at the Bottom Vertical – Center Settlement
horizontal crack in dining room wall

Causes of Wall Cracks

Wall cracks are definitely a signal that something negative is going on with your foundation. Most cracks are due to the following problems:

  • Foundation Settlement: Settlement occurs when there are weak bearing soils, poorly compacted soil, changes to the level of moisture in the soil, or soil consolidation beneath part or all of your foundation. If the soil beneath your foundation can’t handle the load property, settlement is likely to occur.
  • Bowing and Leaning Walls: Bowing and leaning walls occur when pressure is exerted on the walls from the outside. When water levels are high in the soil this causes hydrostatic pressure to build up. It will push in on walls, causing them to bow, lean, crack, and even leak.
  • Heaving or Shifting and Moving: When there is a fast freeze or thaw, the ground can actually heave, shift, or move very quickly. There might be rapid expansion of the soil and the concrete that is above the expanding soil will heave, causing cracking in the walls.

You might also notice cracks in floors, tiles, ceiling, garage columns, slabs, foundations walls, steps, stoops, porches, drywall, and joints. These are all common signs that your foundation could be in some serious trouble and that you need to get in touch with a foundation repair specialist right away.

Solutions For Wall Cracks

foundation-helical-pier

Whether it be for wall crack repair, vertical cracks in walls, basement wall repair, drywall crack repair, or hairline cracks in walls, most cracks can be fixed with polyurethane crack injections. Foam resins can be injected into cracks to seal them. The foam will expand to fill the crack and form a bond to help prevent water from leaking through down the road. Underpinning solutions may also be required. This is why it is recommend that you use the resources of My Foundation Repairs to find a foundation contractor in your area. We have a network of foundation specialists that use only the very best in underpinning products from the proven industry leader, Earth Contact Products.

What is most important is finding a contractor that can inspect your foundation and find the best solution for your personal foundation needs. Use our state locator to find a foundation expert in your neck of the woods today. You can get a free inspection and estimate and be on your way to a healthier, safer foundation that is crack-free in no time.