When a homeowner encounters a foundation crack, many questions come to mind:
- What caused it?
- Is this a structural crack?
- Will water seep through the crack into the basement?
- Will the crack get bigger over time?
- How can I fix it?
One thing the homeowner should not do, is ignore it.
Foundation cracks left unrepaired can lead to basement water leaks and structural issues.
Basement water leaks, in addition to rendering your basement unusable, can cause dangerous mold and mildew issues. Having a dry basement is the only way to avoid mold problems.
Types Of Foundation Cracks
Vertical Cracks
Vertical cracks are usually caused by pressure on the foundation wall deriving from soil settlement.
Vertical cracks often seep a lot of water and must be repaired.
Horizontal Cracks
Horizontal cracks are a serious structural issue that requires immediate repair.
They are caused by heavy soil pressure being exerted on the foundation walls - usually from water-saturated soil.
If left unrepaired, the walls can buckle, and in some instance even cave in.
What Should a Homeowner Do?
Foundation wall cracks, other than tiny shrinkage cracks, should be inspected by a foundation crack repair contractor and a repaired ASAP.
Because structural cracks will likely get worst over time, an inspection should be done as soon as possible.
The longer you wait, the more expensive it will get to repair.
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