Cracks between 1\/8 and \u00bc of an inch often result from house settling or concrete shrinking within a few months after construction. And so may pose no structural problem. But it\u2019s a good idea to seal them to keep out moisture, soil smells, or even radon gas (check this EPA site to see if radon is a problem in your area).\u00a0Repairing a foundation crack in this width range is a simple DIY project that involves filling the crack with caulk compatible with concrete, such as GE\u2019s Concrete and Masonry Silicone II Caulk (available from Amazon).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IF A HORIZONTAL CRACK APPEARS WHERE THE FOUNDATION WALL MEETS THE BASEMENT FLOOR<\/strong>.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

IT\u2019S NOT A STRUCTURAL PROBLEM, BUT IT SHOULD BE SEALED.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because basement floors are poured after the walls are poured, the concrete where they meet don\u2019t always bond completely\u2014and this is a\u00a0common spot for a crack to appear when the house settles. The crack can be up to \u00bd inch wide and it still doesn\u2019t pose a problem other than letting in moisture, smells, and gasses. Repairing a foundation crack of this nature is similar to repairing other non-structural cracks: Fill it with a caulk suitable for use on concrete. If a crack between the wall and floor exceeds \u00bd inch (some can be two inches wide or more inches wide), call a foundation contractor who can fill it by injecting an expanding epoxy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IF WATER IS SEEPING THROUGH A CRACK, SEAL THE CRACK AND DIVERT THE WATER.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Basements and crawl spaces are normally damp because they\u2019re located below grade (yard level). But when water\u2014not just moisture\u2014actually seeps through a crack, it poses an increased risk of mold and mildew growth. While the crack should be sealed as described above, it\u2019s even more important to keep water away from the foundation wall. This can be done by removing foundation plantings. Some other ways are, installing guttering and downspouts, and adding soil to the yard along the foundation in order to create a two percent or more slope away from the house that allows water to run away from the foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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IF A FOUNDATION WALL CRACK IS WIDER THAN \u00bd-INCH, HAVE A PRO TAKE A LOOK.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although many larger cracks may still turn out to be harmless. It\u2019s a good idea to have a foundation contractor or a structural engineer to inspect the foundation for structural problems. Repairing a foundation crack wider than \u00bd-inch may well be a DIY task. But as always there is an off-chance that the crack is due to something more serious. A professional opinion should be sought first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IF A LARGE CRACK ACCOMPANIES A BULGE IN A FOUNDATION WALL, IT INDICATES A STRUCTURAL PROBLEM.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Foundation walls are reinforced with steel to keep them from moving. As always In areas with clay-soil, the clay can swell when it becomes wet. This will create lots of lateral (hydrostatic) pressure on the wall which you don’t want that. This will push it forward and its is a major problem, and a foundation contractor should be consulted. If the bulge is slight, it might be difficult to see, but you can hold a long straightedge. Simple idea, as a six-foot level, along the wall to determine whether the area with the crack is bulging. Even a slight bulge that accompanies a crack is cause for concern and a pro should take a look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IF A CRACK IS HORIZONTAL, IT PRESENTS MORE OF A RISK THAN A VERTICAL OR DIAGONAL CRACK.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While any crack can be unsightly, vertical, and diagonal. Cracks are usually the outcome of normal settling, and they can be fix as directed previously. Just Like bulging walls, horizontal cracks are pretty much caused by hydrostatic pressure. Never the less, even if the wall isn\u2019t bulging, it\u2019s time to consider for the pros. Stabilizing a foundation with structural problems can involve a number of different remedies. Including excavation around the outside of the wall, hydraulic lifting, or underpinning the wall with steel. However, only a foundation contractor will be able to assess the extent of the problem and offer a suitable remedy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In this post, you will find 8 tips to know when to worry about a Foundation Crack.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3505,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_eb_attr":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[181,170,16],"tags":[197,196,173,184],"offerexpiration":[],"class_list":["post-3503","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-exterior-stucco-faq","category-fundation-parging","category-stucco","tag-foundation-parging","tag-foundation-repair","tag-stucco","tag-stucco-repair"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n