Wall Crack Repair
Foundation cracks come in many varieties, but all could be indicators of a problem with your foundation. If you have horizontal or vertical wall cracks, “stair-step” or diagonal cracking, bulging, buckling foundation walls, or pushing in at the bottom or top of the wall, you could need foundation repair.
Foundation wall cracks have several different causes, and each has its own unique solution. Concrete walls may experience small cracks as they cure. These are normal and may be no cause for alarm. However, walls cracking due to foundation settlement issues or expansive soils may require some repair work.
Florida Foundations & Concrete Leveling are your local experts for all your foundation repair needs in Florida. We have warrantied solutions that fix foundation wall cracks! Call us for a foundation inspection and free foundation repair quote today! We serve Saint Petersburg, Tampa, Orlando and many nearby areas.
Identifying Foundation Wall Cracks
Foundation cracks vary in severity from a simple cosmetic issue to a major structural problem with your home. However, even serious foundation problems, when addressed early on, can be quickly and permanently fixed.
Curing Concrete
As concrete cures, it is common for small cracks to appear in foundation walls. These cracks are very common, and they’re not a sign of a major foundation problem.
Shrinkage cracks tend to be very small “hairline” cracks that are usually 1/16″ wide or less. They generally occur near the center of a span and maintain a consistent width for the length of the crack.
Foundation Settlement
When the soils underneath your foundation fail to support the weight of your home, the foundation will begin to settle unevenly, and cracks will appear. As vertical cracks form and the wall or corner of the house begins to rotate, you will typically see cracks that are wider at the top or bottom.
Foundation cracks that are caused by settlement are very serious, and they will only get worse over time as the home continues to move. If you are concerned that your foundation may be cracking due to settlement issues, it’s best to address the problem as soon as possible.
Expansive Soils
If you have clay soils around your home, they can expand and contract significantly as they become wet. Wet clay soils can expand enough to put literally thousands of pounds of pressure on a foundation wall. This can force the walls inwards, sometimes causing them to buckle and crack. Look also for walls pushing in at the bottom or tilting in at the top.
If left unrepaired, this kind of damage can worsen until the wall fails completely or is beyond repair. By addressing the problem of failing walls quickly, repairs can be completed in as little as a day.