Cracks In Concrete Foundation

Minor cracks though unsightly are not normally cause for alarm.

Cracks in concrete foundation.

Foundations are rigid and tend to crack over time. These aren t a structural issue though you might need to plug them to keep the. Correction of foundation and structural problems can be very costly and occasionally foundation cracks will be a warning sign of other structural issues with a home. Foundation cracks that run sideways horizontally are the most serious type of crack to look out for as they can signal serious damage to your home s foundation and structural integrity.

Therefore you can t just ignore cracks in a foundation or concrete slab. Cracks often originate in 90 degree corners so check those places carefully. Filling in these cracks and stopping them from. Major cracks on the other hand indicate substantial movement and can undermine the home s structural integrity.

Repair a foundation crack with an epoxy sealer photo geoffrey gross. While these cracks are sometimes seen in homes with poured concrete foundations they are most common in homes with concrete block or brick foundations. A vertical foundation crack is a crack that goes straight up and down or slightly diagonal within 30 degrees of vertical. Cracks can form in both poured concrete and block foundations.

Hairline cracks in the mortar between concrete blocks are rarely worth worrying about. Repairing 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 s concrete and masonry silicone ii caulk. In fact it is a very rare in this area to have a concrete foundation that does not have one or two vertical cracks. Cracks at an l shape section such as where a foundation steps down to follow a hillside are probably shrinkage cracks especially if they meander and taper down to a hairline.

98 of the homes in the united states have foundations constructed out of concrete masonry blocks or brick all of which tend to crack when there is movement and excessive stress. Stepped cracks along block foundations or brick walls may be caused by upheaval. The best way to stave off major repair work is to monitor the crack. As concrete and mortar between blocks dry it shrinks.

Vertical cracks are of least concern and are commonly seen almost all houses. To permanently patch the crack we used an epoxy injection system from polygem called the liquid concrete. Concrete slabs are essential to the structural stability and design of modern buildings.