Bergen County, NJ | Select Basement Waterproofing

Here’s Why You Should Be Concerned About those Tiny House Foundation Cracks | Bergen County, NJ

Here’s Why You Should Be Concerned About those Tiny House Foundation Cracks

Homeowners often get concerned when they notice large house foundation cracks and rightly so. These cracks will not only result in moisture problems in the basement, but can also cause structural problems in the home.

Homeowners, however, aren’t too concerned when they notice small cracks. This is because many believe that cracks should only be dealt with when they are very large.

What happens when you ignore small cracks?

Small cracks may seem innocent enough, especially when they are not leaking. However, these small cracks are still a good reason to call a waterproofing professional. Ignoring these house foundation cracks will result in:

  1. The problem only becoming worse

Foundation cracks, both large and small, are often a sign of an underlying issue affecting your foundation. Ignoring the cracks won’t make the problem go away. In fact, you will only be allowing the problem to become even worse. foundation crack 150x150 Here’s Why You Should Be Concerned About those Tiny House Foundation Cracks | Bergen County, NJ

If you notice small cracks in your foundation, get in touch with a waterproofing contractor as soon as you can. They can help you resolve the issue before it becomes worse. This will save you a lot of money in repairs.

  1. Water penetration

The cracks may not be letting water in now, but they eventually will. There are many instances where homeowners have ignored cracks that were dry only to find their basement flooded after some weeks or months.

If you want to avoid water penetrating the basement, deal with the cracks as soon as you notice them. Small cracks are easy to repair, especially when they are still dry.

  1. Growth of mold and mildew

Even small cracks can let moisture into the home. You may not notice this when you examine the cracks. However, you may notice a musty smell in your basement as you continue to ignore the cracks.

The growth of mold and mildew is not only detrimental to the air quality of your home, but will also result in the destruction of your property. Getting rid of mold is expensive and intensive. You can avoid all this loss by having the cracks repaired as soon as you notice them.

Repairing house foundation cracks

There are different methods that contractors may suggest for the repair of the cracks. The methods depend on the size of the cracks, their location, whether they are leaking, and the type of foundation. Be sure to choose a method that will give you long-term results.

 

House Foundation Cracks | Middleton, NJ | Select Basement Waterproofing

Changes In Foundation Walls Can Cause Cracks | Mercer County, NJ

Have you spotted cracks in your foundation? The sight of foundation cracks can be disheartening for any homeowner. It can also be a cause for great anxiety. You may start to wonder what type of damage your foundation has undergone and what can be done about it. Your top fear will probably be how much it will cost to repair the foundation.

Before you go into full panic mode, take some time to call a waterproofing contractor. A full inspection of your basement will help to determine just how bad the situation is. Many homeowners find that things aren’t as bad as they seem and repairs are often done quickly and affordably.

A waterproofing contractor will help you evaluate the foundation cracks and determine the cause of the cracks. They will help you determine the best way to repair the cracks and deal with any other problems.

Shrinkage Cracks

Foundation walls aren’t static. They change in size and shape as they cure. They also shift in reaction to environmental conditions including temperature, groundwater and other such conditions. Cracks can occur in foundations as a result of the stress of shifting and curing.

Shrinkage cracks occur in different types of foundations:

  1. Poured concrete foundations

Shrinkage cracks occur in these foundations as a result of rapid curing, poor mixing of concrete as well as poor reinforcement of the foundation with steel. Changing temperatures can also cause shrinkage cracks when concrete expands and contracts in reaction to temperature changes.

  1. Brick walls

Bricks aren’t commonly used for the construction of foundations in modern houses. However, many old buildings feature these types of foundations. Shrinkage cracks in brick foundations occur in the mortar between the bricks. The bricks themselves never shrink but continue to expand.

brewster mcleod architects 1486154065 150x150 Changes In Foundation Walls Can Cause Cracks | Mercer County, NJ

  1. Block foundations

Shrinkage cracks in these types of foundations appear as cracks of uniform width at the center of the wall. They occur as a result of curing as well as variations in temperature.

Repairing Shrinkage Cracks

Shrinkage cracks in poured concrete and block foundations often aren’t structural. Their repair is therefore not as intensive as when dealing with structural cracks. Shrinkage cracks in brick walls are often a sign of a structural or support problem in the wall.

It is important to talk to a foundation expert in order to determine the best method for repairing the foundation cracks. Ignoring the cracks will only make matters worse. They can easily progress to pose a structural threat to your home.