A cracked foundation can be a homeowner’s worst nightmare. It’s easy to become overwhelmed and stressed out when you first spot cracks in your home’s foundation.
Don’t worry—there are steps you can take to get your home back in tip-top shape. Consider what to do if you see cracks in your foundation.
Identify the Type of Crack You See
Knowing the type of crack you’re seeing is key to understanding how serious the situation is. Therefore, it’s important to identify it correctly. Remember these tips to help you determine what you’re dealing with:
- Look for vertical cracks from soil pressure, which typically don’t indicate a major structural issue.
- Note any horizontal cracks, which can occur due to settling or shrinkage and should be looked at more closely.
- Assess diagonal cracks, which may point to settlement issues that you need to address.
- Check for stair-step cracks in the mortar joints between masonry blocks, which can cause serious damage if left untreated.
Assess the Severity of the Crack
If a crack is less than 1/4-inch wide, it is usually minor and someone can fix it with simple maintenance work, like sealing and waterproofing. However, a crack wider than 1/4 inch requires more serious repair work that should be done by a professional contractor or engineer as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the worse the damage may become over time.
Take Action Immediately
Depending on the severity of the issue, there are several ways to fix cracked foundations. Everything from simple patching jobs to complete replacement of affected areas may be necessary for your home’s structure to remain safe and sound. No matter what, your best option is to go straight to an experienced professional who has dealt with similar issues and can recommend reliable solutions tailored to your needs.
If you see cracks in your foundation, they should never be ignored or taken lightly. Watching for these fractures is essential to maintaining your home’s foundation; failing to address them could lead to significant or irreversible structural damage. With that said, don’t despair. Just remember these three steps and find an experienced professional contractor or engineer who can help get your home back into shape quickly and easily.
