Even the most structurally sound homes can experience cracks in walls over time. Cracks in the walls are often unsightly and unwelcomed, but they can also be signs of foundation settlement. The longer they are left the worse they can become.
But what exactly causes the foundation cracks to happen in the first place? Well, it could be a number of things.
1. Too much moisture.
- Water is the biggest cause of foundational issues. When water leaks into your home, it can cause structural materials to swell, rot and weaken. This can cause walls to crack, crumble or even grow mold. That’s why we recommend a Dry Basement!
2. Weather changes.
- When gets dry and temperatures rise, the ground around can shrink and expand when it gets wet. Due to this movement, cracks can form foundation walls.
3. Settling.
- Foundation settling can have some adverse side effects. When unstable soil shifts or sinks, the house settles. This movement causes cracks in the foundation as well as near the ceilings and door frames.
4. Bearing too much weight.
- Sometimes cracks form in walls because there is simply too much weight. Heavy objects hanging from walls can cause them to crack due to stress.
5. Poor drywall installation.
- During installation, the seams between drywall must be properly taped, smoothed and sealed. If not, cracks in the drywall will likely form.
Often, cracks in the interior walls of a home are nothing to lose sleep over. However, if you notice any of these signs, you may need foundation repair:
- Cracks run horizontally, not vertically
- Cracks near door frames
- Wide cracks, generally wider than a 1/4th of an inch
- Cracks are forming frequently and in large amounts
If you notice any cracks in your walls, it’s best to contact a professional to ascertain if it’s serious or not. If it is a serious foundation crack, its best to get it repairs right away to avoid further the damage! It could become much worse and more expensive to fix.
Contact the professionals at Dry Basement® Foundation Repair for a free inspection and evaluation. Our estimators have been trained and certified by licensed structural engineers. They will talk with you, examine your foundation, and develop the best configuration to repair your foundation and permanently solve your foundation problem. We’ll include a written summary and cost estimate for fixing the problem.