Why Do Foundation Cracks Occur?

“You shouldn’t be alarmed by tiny, hairline cracks because older homes frequently have them. However, some cracks require a professional inspection. Stair-step cracks and splits larger than 1/4 of an inch need to be examined. If you notice shrinkage cracks on your walls, contact Structural Repairs right away.”

Naturally, noticing foundation cracks can be very stressful. When an owner sees this, their first worry is that their house will collapse. Second, they could believe that resolving this problem will cost a lot of money. Yet the first question to ask is, “What was the initial cause of these cracks?” By examining the cracks’ characteristics and the areas where they appeared, you can determine what caused them. Here are a few things that lead to cracks in foundations.

Expanding Soil Leads to Cracks in Foundations

Certain soils might press up against the sidewalls of your foundation when they expand when moist. The extra weight could cause horizontal cracks that would cause basement walls to bend and bow.

Tree Roots

By removing moisture from the soil beneath the foundation, tree roots create an uneven and cracked base. The expansion of tree roots alone might cause a basement wall to break. The likelihood of tree root transpiration, however, is higher.

Loose, Unsettled Soil

A solid soil made up of clay, silt, and sand is called loam. It effectively supports foundations by keeping water flowing at a balanced rate. However, when there is loose soil under a home, it moves and adjusts to the weight above it. Poor engineering led to this arrangement, which resulted in vertical or stair-step cracks. The foundation has to be repaired since the uneven settlement could lead to serious structural problems.

Poor Reinforcement and Concrete Mix

Lack of rebar in concrete walls increases the likelihood of cracking and collapse. In addition, poor-quality or improperly mixed concrete over time leads to structural problems.

Plumbing Issues

Moisture accumulates around and beneath foundation walls as a result of basement water leaks from old or broken pipes, which causes cracks.

Key Takeaways

The most important thing to remember when it comes to cracks in your house/building is that, regardless of how minor they may seem, you need to make sure that you are having them examined by a professional so that you won’t have a much worse problem in the future.

For a hassle-free professional service to diagnose and repair building cracks, get in touch with us.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require more information. Our team will be happy and glad to assist you.

Kindly visit to our website at https://structuralrepairs.com.my/ or contact us at Tel: +603-91731728/29 Whatsapp: +60 12-334 9113

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