How a Small Foundation Crack Can Lead to Big Problems
If you have been ignoring that small crack in your home’s foundation, you may wish to think twice. Even the smallest cracks appearing in property foundations can lead to mighty problems later. Let’s talk about why you should never ignore a crack if you want a sounder home.
Cracks are the biggest pain for construction workers. Whether you are building your own project or someone else’s, the last thing you want to see is a crack appearing in your freshly finished foundation work. Left unchecked, a cracked foundation cannot support a full new build atop it. If those small cracks in your foundations appear after you build your house, then it could mean big problems are on the way.
What counts as a Foundation Crack?
Not all cracks in your home’s structure will bring your house down, but most will cause damage over time. A crack in the exterior cladding, for example, won’t bring your house down. However, over time it will leak into the water. Damp and rot are recent problems if you don’t treat your exterior cracks.
Foundation cracks commonly appear in the parts of your house that the rest of the house was built upon. You find these parts in the basement. If your basement floods often, you should keep checking the foundations for damage.
What Happens if you Ignore Foundation Cracks?
If you choose to ignore damage to your home’s foundations, the problem will develop at an alarming speed. Foundations distribute the weight of your house evenly throughout. When one weakens, the whole structure could crumble. Here are problems that could arise due to cracked foundations.
Infestations
If you leave cracks to worsen, you leave yourself open to the possibility of infestations. Rats, mice, termites, and other critters can all squeeze into your walls and set up a home there. Over time, gnawing and droppings will turn those cracks into gaps.
Dampness
Dampness causes serious issues in your building. Once inside, it takes much more money to get rid of the dampness than it would get rid of the foundation cracks. When your house is damp, you will notice an unpleasant smell. The air quality deteriorates, and you may well suffer respiratory illnesses.
Mold and Mildew
The reason you might get respiratory issues is because the dampness brings mold and mildew with it. Mold spores release poisonous toxins, some worse than others. If the dampness is excessive, you may end up with black mold, which causes lung diseases.
Shrinkage
If you ignore small cracks in your foundation, you can expect dry shrinkage. Concrete will shrink if out under the hot sun all day. If you have cracks in your foundation, the concrete will shrink at various times. This could make the problem worse. Shrinkage is normal, but when you have multiple cracks, it becomes a genuine issue.
How do you Fix Foundation Cracks?
A foundation wall crack repair is the type of job you cannot do by yourself. This is a task for professionals. It takes precision and an understanding of the engineering behind your house. Without the knowledge of a builder, your repair work could worsen the problem. DIY foundation crack repairs often lead to pricier problems if you do not solve them professionally.
To fix the crack, you require a special injectable solution. You can fix cracks with epoxy, but you must prepare the area in the correct way. Hire a professional, or run the risk of making things worse for yourself.
What Causes the Cracks?
Small cracks appear in concrete as it sets. These are normal. When damp gets in, or when animals get in, the cracks get bigger. Sun, rain, wind, and earthquake damage can all cause your home to form foundation cracks. Avoiding them is impossible but treating them is not.
