Wall cracks can affect both new and existing homes. Concrete block foundation walls, in particular, are susceptible to cracking for a variety of reasons. Take your time inspecting the crack you’ve discovered before opting for concrete block foundation repairs. Some cracks are minor inconveniences, while some are signs of a broader issue and you can help distinguish them with a bit of knowledge.
There are numerous foundation types available. Because they all serve different purposes, each type of home may have another foundation. The concrete block foundation is also known as a block foundation. There are a few things to watch for if you have a block foundation. Cracked concrete block foundations are one thing to look for, according to foundation repair experts HydroHelp911.
Types of Cracks in Block Foundations
HORIZONTAL CRACKS
These cracks usually indicate that your home’s foundation fails. A flat cracked block foundation occurs due to excessive pressure thrusting in on the walls outside the house.
When you notice a horizontal crack, you ought to know that the wall may soon begin to bow inward. The hydrostatic pressure from outside the house will simply build-up to the point where the wall starts to flex in on itself. If you continue to leave it alone, the wall will collapse eventually.
There are methods for repairing horizontal cracked block foundations stated by HydroHelp911. However, you must identify the problems as quickly as possible so that you do not have to wait until the wall crumbles. If severe enough, it could dismantle a substantial portion of the house.
VERTICAL CRACKS
Vertical cracks are usually an indication that your home is settling in general. Unfortunately, they typically imply that the house is aging faster or even more significantly than it should, which can be disastrous for your home in the long run.
One factor to remember is that vertical cracks frequently grow over time. They expand not just in width but also in-depth. Eventually, they will crack through the foundation, causing the water to seep into the area. That, in and of itself, can create challenges.
Even though vertical cracks aren’t usually an obvious problem, you should contact a HydroHelp911 cracked block foundation repair expert as soon as possible to begin work on repairing your home’s settling issues. In addition, if you notice vertical cracks in more than one area, you should seek immediate assistance.
STAIR-STEP CRACKED BLOCK
This stair-step pattern is most frequently found in a cracked concrete block foundation or a brick wall, as observed by professionals at HydroHelp911. This is due to the caulking between the bricks supplying a more “natural” location for the foundation to begin cracking.
A stair-step pattern, like vertical cracks, suggests houses settling differently. It usually means that the house is settling more on one side than the other. Whenever one side shifts more significantly than the other side, the surplus load is placed on the other, resulting in stair-step cracks.
As with vertical cracks, this isn’t usually something that requires immediate attention, but it highlights factors that could contribute to future structural damage, so it’s best to consult cracked block foundation repair experts at HydroHelp911. If you notice the grouting falling out of the wall or if the bricks in the foundation appear to be tilting out of place, you should make your request more immediate.
HAIRLINE CRACK
A “hairline” crack is a type that you may not see often. Hairline cracks can be seen in various materials, such as your block foundation. These are referred to as “hairline” cracks since they are generally smaller than one-sixteenth of an inch or less broad than a hair strand.
These are cracks that rarely require repair. Because they are so small, they commonly do not appear if you have foundation issues but compression concerns.
Concrete shrinkage is expected, so you shouldn’t be concerned if you have a few hairline cracks. However, if you notice these hairline cracks more than a year after the initial concrete pouring, or if the cracks begin to widen or deepen in any way, you should contact a cracked block foundation repair expert at HydroHelp911.
What to do When Cracks Start Appearing in Block Foundations?
For most cases, according to HydroHelp911, minor issues related to cracked concrete block foundation walls will not be a cause for concern. However, if you observe a crack followed by an infestation, leakage, or mildew, you should have your wall inspected for structural flaws by cracked block foundation repair experts at HydroHelp911. Recognize that it is always preferable to take precautions.
Waterproofing the exteriors can help keep your walls in good condition for a more extended period. If you observe vertical or diagonal cracks developing, have a waterproofing contractor inspect your foundation because you may have a foundational leak along with wall crack leaks. The waterproofing process can also help to keep any green wood supports from absorbing water and weakening even further.
If you suspect that your walls are bowing over a crack, contact a professional as soon as possible. Foundation repair contractors will be able to tell you what’s wrong with your wall and what potential solutions will help you keep your home’s value.
Meanwhile, see why Gutters Are Important To Your Foundation!
WHAT ARE THE COMMON TYPES OF CRACKS?
Cracked Slabs and Floors
Cracked concrete floors, whether in the garage, your home, or your basement, imply a sinking foundation or uneven settling in your home. Seasonal changes in weather patterns will only exacerbate the situation until the fundamental problems are addressed.
Chimney Cracks
Cracked and leaning chimneys are typical when builders fail to properly prepare the soil or foundation for all additional weight centered in one location.
Cracks in the sidewalks and driveways
These cracks are the minor effective links to significant foundation problems. They could be, but more often than not, it’s due to the elements and aging. You may be able to fix the issue by releveling, resurfacing, or lifting them with foam.
Interior wall cracks
You may also notice cracks appearing throughout your home. These can be found in the drywall, the ceiling, and around windows and doorways. In some cases, this is the natural settling of a newer home, particularly if construction was rushed or shortcuts were taken on the soil beneath your home. Uneven settling will eventually lead to far more severe issues. Again, if these cracks become too large, they can impact what you can do with the house and even your ability to sell it.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THE CRACKS ARE LEFT UNREPAIRED?
Cracks will grow worse with time.
If you apply caulk or grouting over the cracks, it will not hide them for very long. When block foundation cracks are ignored, they do not remain the same over time. Instead, they begin to spread.
These cracks will eventually broaden to the point where your cosmetic repair will either fall out or stop backing the problem. In this case, you’ll have an even larger crack that you probably won’t be able to repair with caulk or grout, and it’ll be displaying worse structural issues.
This is only one of the factors where you should address the problem as soon as possible. If you wait until these issues become too big to ignore, you’re more likely to get into serious trouble, physically and financially.
When your foundation repair professionals assist you in dealing with them while they are still in their infancy, they are more likely to be less expensive and have more effective treatments.
CAN A CRACKED BLOCK FOUNDATION REPAIR BE A DIY PROJECT?
Most of the time, structural issues appear out of nowhere. Not only do the cracks reveal structural problems, but those structural problems have a source. There is a much more severe issue that needs to be addressed.
This issue can arise from a variety of sources. For example, you may begin to notice the structural problems resulting from soil erosion beneath your home. It could occur due to the construction team’s initial concrete being poured incorrectly. It may even happen if the home’s design did not account for weight properly.
Instead of attempting to repair a cracked block foundation on your own, look for reliable block foundation repair. A HydroHelp911 cracked block foundation repair expert will be able to provide you with more information on the best solution for your needs.
DO COSMETIC FIXES SOLVE THE STRUCTURAL ISSUES?
Cosmetic fixes do not address structural issues.
You could resurface the area or apply more grout or caulk to fill the crack. While this would make the damage far less visible from the outside, it would not solve the problem. These cracks usually indicate structural issues, which cosmetic fixes cannot fix.
Structural issues extend much deeper than the surface. These cracks in your block foundation are a good thing. Although no one wants to deal with structural problems in the first place, these cracks highlight those issues before they become dangerous.
