Foundation Wall Cracks

Eatontown Waterproofing Professionals Foundation & Structural RepairWhy do foundation walls crack? Because your builder never used a backer board!

When ground water saturation occurs in the freeze thaw periods of winter, the ground expands, creating tremendous pressure on below ground portions of the foundation walls. This stress eventually fractures the wall.

According to the Home Inspection Census more than 50% of all basement foundation walls have a good chance of cracking or bowing in the winters to come!

Bowed and cracked basement walls can be very serious signs of structural damage to the foundation. Traditional methods of addressing these issues include using wall anchors systems, steel I-beams, tiebacks, piering, and excavation.

Bowing and Cracking in new and old foundations

Usually bows, cracks, bulges, and buckling basement and foundation walls happen most frequently in more established structures. However, newer constructed buildings are not immune to quickly developing settling concerns. As soil settles outside the foundation walls at different rates, it expands and contracts with seasonal freezing and thawing processes because of hydrostatic pressure in the water table.

When to call for a Foundation Repair

Highlands Waterproofing Professionals Foundation & Structural RepairThere are several warning signs that should prompt a call to a professional for an inspection besides a bowed or cracked basement wall. The sooner a repair is made, the lower the repair expense is, and often carbon fiber reinforced polymer materials (CFRP), or other foundation wall crack repair methods of ours, can be used as opposed to more expensive and extensive methods, including excavation. The most common warning signs include:

Hazlet Waterproofing Professionals Foundation & Structural Repair
Cracked Block Foundation
– Indicates lateral pressure on the walls. Serious movement is evidenced in stair step and horizontal cracks in mortar joints.

Cracks in Poured Concrete – Typically occurs within 30 days of the concrete curing process. Usually a very simple repair, however, in combination with other signs could be a more serious sign of settlement.

Cracks in Brick Facing – Cracks can be a symptom of foundation movement. Refrain from cosmetic repairs until a professional foundation repair specialist determines the cause to minimize future expenditures and hassles.

Drywall Cracks – Shifts in the foundation often cause other cosmetic damage inside the building. Drywall cracks around windows, doorframes, and in corners are common symptoms of significant foundation movement.

Uneven Doors and Windows – Another typical indication of foundation shifting. Shifting could cause framework to contort out of square, leading to windows and doors sticking or not opening and closing properly.

Sinking Foundation – Perhaps the most serious sign of settlement. The foundation sinks because it is separating from the building structure. This must be taken care of as soon as possible or may lead to wall collapse.