The appearance of cracks on your building’s foundation can make you fret. You will certainly get worried when you see cracks because you may not be familiar with the causes of these cracks and the impact that the cracks have on your building. Therefore, it is important to get adequate information about foundation wall cracks. In this article, you will learn about 3 types of foundation wall cracks and the methods of repairing them.
Types of foundation wall cracks
- Vertical cracks
Vertical foundation cracks are quite common and they often occur within a short period after construction. Vertical cracks arise largely due to poor construction work or because of the shrinking and curing of the foundation concrete. While vertical cracks are less likely to cause structural problems to a building, they can allow water to percolate into the building’s basement.
- Horizontal cracks
Horizontal cracks in a foundation indicate that the foundation has serious structural problems. The cracks occur where the foundation is not strong enough to accommodate the weight of the structure.
Horizontal cracks can also be caused by heavy pressure from the soil that surrounds the foundation. This occurs when soil that is saturated with water exerts pressure on the foundation wall from outside, resulting in bowing or bending of the wall. When the foundation wall bends, horizontal cracks need to be repaired immediately.
- Stair step cracks
Stair step cracks are not as dangerous as horizontal cracks, but they can still pose a threat to a building. Stair step cracks result from the shifting or settling of the foundation and also need to be inspected and repaired by a competent foundation repair contractor.
How to repair foundation wall cracks
The methods of repairing cracks vary depending on the type and extent of the cracks. Below are some crack repair techniques.
- Caulking: Caulking involves adding caulk in the crack spaces. You need to hire a competent technician to ensure that the caulk bonds with the concrete and effectively seals the crack.
- Filling the crack: Methods such as filling the crack with epoxy or urethane can be used to repair cracks.
- Use of the StablWall System: The problem with methods such as caulking and filling the crack with epoxy or urethane is that the cracks are likely to reappear as the foundation expands and contracts over time. The StablWall System uses a carbon fiber wall bracing technology that when applied to a crack, prevents further crack expansion and wall bowing.Contact the professionals at Ohio State Waterproofing today! (330) 467-1055
Ohio State Waterproofing has provided quality service with over 80,000 successful waterproofing and foundation repair installations and satisfied customers since our inception in 1978.
Ohio State Waterproofing’s philosophy for success is to provide honest, courteous and guaranteed service to every customer. Our reputation reflects this. Our well-trained waterproofing technicians are dedicated to complete customer satisfaction. This is achieved through fast, efficient processes as well as teamwork throughout this organization. You will always find a friendly representative willing to meet your needs at Ohio State Waterproofing.
We are a full service company that handles problems ranging from patching cracks to rebuilding basements. In addition, we hold three patents related to waterproofing that make us unique in the industry. These patents and our experience allow us to be able to do what every other waterproofer can do, but no one else can do what we do.
We are actively involved in the industry and community, including the National Association of Waterproofing Contractors, BHA, NARI, NAHB, NHIA, the BIA, the FHA and a number of consumer advocacy groups, as well as playing leading roles in a number of charitable functions.
But, most importantly, our highest degree of praise comes from the thousands of referrals we get from satisfied customers. Together they’ve made us a leader in the basement waterproofing and foundation repair industry.
