It can be concerning anytime you notice that there is a crack in your home’s foundation. Most homeowners know how important that home’s foundation is and how expensive it can be when you are dealing with foundation issues. When you do see cracks in your foundation, it is important to remember that not all cracks are something you need to worry about right away. Dallas Foundation Repair is here to talk about foundation cracks and when you need to be alarmed about finding them.
What Would Cause a Foundation to Crack?
There are several things that can cause cracks in your foundation. Some of the most common problems that lead to foundation trouble include:
– Expansive soil
– Weather changes
– Poor drainage
– Inadequately prepared soil before construction happens
– Natural disasters
– Soil creep
– Heavy excavation near your foundation
How Can You Tell if a Crack is Structural?
There are two different types of cracks that can form in your foundation, structural and non-structural. Structural cracks are the bigger issue obviously. These cracks start to compromise a structure’s integrity. You should start to worry about these cracks when the following happens:
– The cracks are wider than 1/10 of an inch wide
– Cracks are wider on one end than the other
– You notice the cracks are getting large with time
– The cracks are horizontal and can have bowing
– Many vertical cracks close together
– If you notice cracks that move along your ceiling and down the wall
When Should I Be Concerned About Foundation Cracks?
You can also have non-structural cracks in your foundation that aren’t as big of a concern. These cracks are usually the result of concrete shrinkage and settling from the time the home was built. There are circumstances where you need to start worrying about these cracks as well though.
– If the cracks started out less than 1/10 inch wide and then got larger with time
– You have water that is getting into your basement because of a vertical crack
– If you have a cinderblock wall and there was a crack in only one block but has now spread to another block. (This is a sign that you could have a structural crack on your hands)
How to Protect Foundation from Cracks
Since most foundation cracks are a result of water issues, this is where your focus should be in trying to avoid foundation trouble. It is vital that there is good drainage around your foundation. You also want to make sure that there is enough moisture in the soil around your foundation that there aren’t shrinkage problems.
Slab Foundation Repair in Lewisville, Flower Mound, Carrollton, Plano, Richardson, Grapevine, Garland, Mesquite, Grand Prairie, Arlington & Great Dallas, Texas
At Dallas Foundation Repair, we can help you with any foundation troubles you may be having. It is our goal to ensure your home has the structural support it needs to stay standing. We will diagnose the problem with your foundation and get to work in fixing it. Call us today!
