All You Need To Know About Different Types Of Residential Basement Foundation Cracks
Discovering a foundation crack in your home can be unsettling, as this could represent extensive damage to your home’s foundation, which could mean basement foundation crack repair will be necessary. However, if you have discovered a crack in your foundation, you may be wondering if all foundation cracks are the same, or if certain cracks should be more cause for concern than others.
The fact is that looking at the crack can tell you a lot about the damage to your foundation including what may have caused it and how severe the problem is. To help you get a better understanding of foundation damage, here is a quick overview of the most common types of foundation cracks.
Types Of Non-structural Foundation Cracks
Shrinkage (hairline) Cracks
Shrinkage cracks are the type of cracks in your foundation that are of the least concern. They are hairline cracks that often come from the initial curing during the first month or two after the foundation has been poured. The shrinkage haitline cracks form as the concrete dries out. More often than not, they don’t change in size, and they don’t indicate an immediate problem for your foundation. To be safe, check them every now and then and have a professional foundation repair contact on hand.
Vertical Foundation Cracks
As the name suggests, vertical foundation cracks appear going up and down, though sometimes at a slight angle. Vertical cracks form when the soil shifts or is compressed in one part of the foundation wall, creating settlement, or sinking in one or more areas. This causes tension, a force that concrete is much less resistant to than compression, which then produces vertical cracks. Vertical cracks are considered “non-structural” because they are not as severe as other wall cracks, such as diagonal and horizontal. Vertical cracks are commonly found in poured concrete foundations.
Types Of Structural Foundation Cracks
Horizontal Wall Cracks
This is usually because the backfilled soil on the exterior of your foundation is starting to become overly compressed against the wall. Another reason could be that heavy rain creates a great amount of hydrostatic pressure against the foundation. In either or both cases combined, the lateral pressure applied by the soil on the foundation wall exceeds the capacity of the wall to maintain its form without bowing.
Bowing foundation walls are serious because they are likely to lead to structural failure at some point, which will then cause your home to collapse. Therefore, as soon as you see a horizontal foundation crack forming along your foundation wall, you should contact a residential foundation repair expert.
Diagonal Cracks
Another common type of crack that you may encounter is a diagonal crack that runs along your foundation or basement wall at a 30–75 degree angle. This type of crack may be a thin hairline crack but will be wider at one end than the other. Diagonal foundation cracks are caused by differential settling of a foundation, which is where one side of a home’s foundation settles lower than the rest of the foundation. This type of uneven tension then causes diagonal cracking.
Differential settling can be the result of the house being built on a hill, or due to the expansion or contraction of the soil under a portion of the home. This type of crack can be more costly to repair than a vertical crack since it may be necessary to address the cause of the differential settlement after the foundation crack repair is sealed.
Stair Step Cracks
Stair-step cracks are a combination of horizontal and vertical foundation cracks, that appear on your foundation wall in the pattern of a sidelong view of a staircase. These kinds of cracks usually occur due to a differential settlement of the house, where a portion of the foundation is straight, and another part shifts up or down.
The consequences of these depend on where the cracks have formed. If they follow along the mortar joints between the cinder blocks that make up your foundation wall, then they simply need to be refilled. However, in other areas, these could be an indication of a significant settlement that needs to be addressed.
When to be Concerned About Foundation Cracks
If your basement wall is cracking due to foundation settlement, you may see symptoms all over your house that you didn’t realize were related. Things like sticking windows and doors or sloping floors and gapping ceilings can all be related to a sinking or settling foundation. This means, when you repair your foundation, you may actually take care of other problems throughout the house – or at least stop the damage from continuing. And, of course, if you’re planning any remodeling in the future, it’s always best to have a level foundation to begin with.
Repairing Foundation Cracks and Where to Begin
Repairing a foundation first requires a diagnosis of the problem. At BAM Basements and Masons, we have a team of experts who are experienced in identifying the causes of foundation failure and determining how best to repair them. We provide free estimates with no obligations. Our experts will walk you through everything, one step at a time. BAM will educate you on our findings, you’ll know exactly what caused the problem, exactly what it will take to fix it, and exactly how much it will cost. And if it turns out you don’t have a foundation crack repair problem, we’ll be happy to give you that good news, too.
BAM Basements and Masons of Des Moines is your premier foundation repair company serving the Des Moines, Iowa area. If you’re located in Des Moines, Ankeny, Bondurant, Altoona, Pleasant Hill, Ames, Adel, Waukee, Indianola, Grimes, Urbandale, Johnston, West Des Moines, or the surrounding areas, we’re the place to call. We can help you avoid costly and stressful foundation repair mistakes , by giving you a customized solution that’s going to work for you and your home long-term. BAM Basements and Masons of Des Moines is a professional and locally owned and operated state-registered contractor. Offering affordable honest upfront pricing, no hidden costs, offer free estimates, and limited lifetime transferable warranties. We use new methods and materials on all jobs. We would love to help!