Does your home or property have a foundation crack? Do not ignore it! Since the foundation of a home is critical, no crack in it should be overlooked. There is no way for you to know which cracks are serious or not, so it is advised to call in experts to assess the situation.
At Termiguard and Fenwick, we have the substantial knowledge needed to fix any foundation cracks in your home. There is a variety of foundation repair jobs we can do for you. We are experts in wall reinforcement, footing installs and underpinning, foundation wall replacement, and crack injections. Call us today to schedule a time for us to check out your foundation cracks!
There are many types of foundation cracks but they usually fall into one of the following categories. A crack that has been caused by soil or water pressure results in a horizontal foundation crack. Another type of crack is called shrinkage. It occurs because of poured concrete imperfections. Lastly, settlement cracks are the most common foundation cracks seen in homes. However, different kinds of cracks vary in severity depending on their location and size.
How can you check your home for foundation cracks?
Certain aspects about your home can clue you into any issues in the foundation. Keep a lookout for damage such as bowing walls, misaligned doors and windows, sloping floors, drywall cracks, and cracks in ceramic tile or brickwork cracks. The unevenness of your home can also be a sign that something is wrong with the foundation. Other key signals can even occur inside your home to warn you of a crack, such as doors beginning to jam or failing to latch and windows that suddenly do not close completely.
To recognize those symptoms, it is crucial to conduct regular inspections of your home. When discovered early, foundation cracks can be much easier to fix. In our opinion, as soon as you notice a crack, it is best to get an expert to check it out right away. Some people even keep a journal of certain aspects about their house that could lead to a foundation crack. The journal can also be used to keep track of every time you inspect your home and for you to note any changes in the home’s foundation. Once you do notice a crack, measure it in width and length so that you can let the experts know its size the moment you see it. Taking a picture of the crack can also be helpful to see if it evolves quickly before an expert can make it or if it perhaps return after it has been fixed.
There are also some tricks you can use to figure out if the crack is wide and monitor how much it grows. Try marking the crack’s edges with a permanent marker or another writing utensil. Another idea is using a toothpick to determine how deep a crack is. You can stick it in the crack as far as possible and mark the point where it stops and can no longer fit. This will help you monitor it and allow you to provide more information to the experts who come check it out!
What causes foundation cracks?
It is crucial to try and figure out what caused the foundation cracks to make sure they do not keep happening. A common cause of these cracks is hydrostatic pressure, which is pressure exerted by a fluid. This usually occurs from water building up around the foundation’s outside. These typically happen in areas that get heaps of heavy rainfall or are in a flood zone. However, they can occur almost anywhere.
Foundation cracks can also result from the soil underneath your home shrinking because it is lacking moisture. As mentioned before, this is the definition of a settlement crack. Although is completely normal for soil to settle over time, excessive settling is a recipe for disaster! Another cause is intense heat, which is often seen during summer months. The heat causes concrete to expand, resulting in a foundation crack.
In addition, it is always a good idea to check your home for foundation cracks following any sort of storm or natural disaster including floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes. Any sort of trauma or damage to the home can make it vulnerable to cracks.
Why are foundation cracks dangerous?
The dangers of foundation cracks should also be noted in order to remember how serious it can be. First of all, it is important to remember that any form of foundation crack is concerning and poses a potentially dangerous problem. They should never be ignored or overlooked for a long period of time. The more time that passes, the worse they can become. Save yourself the money of a giant repair and call experts sooner rather than later.
If your home has a foundation crack, you should expect some pest invasions. Bugs can fit through even the smallest of cracks. For example, termites can squeeze through almost any hole in ceilings, floors, or walls. Termites specifically cause even more damage to homes because they eat away at the wood. Aside from that, who wants bugs in their home? Cracks also cause leaks in your home. Water coming in on a rainy day and dripping from the ceiling to the floor can cause more damage to your home and even lead to you or one of your loved ones slipping and getting hurt. In addition, if you are planning on selling your home any time soon, a sound foundation is key. These are just a few reasons why foundation cracks must be tended to as soon as possible!
Being a homeowner can be extremely difficult, and it is impossible to double as a foundation crack expert. Save yourself the hassle and stop procrastinating taking care of the home you love. We are experts in foundation repairs because we use detailed engineering plans to ensure a perfect job. Call Termiguard and Fenwick today to get the professional opinion and service you are looking for!
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