Foundation cracks can mean several things for the strength and integrity of your home’s foundation. While some types of cracks are harmless, others can indicate that your home’s structural integrity is in danger. Cracks can present other problems to your home as well, allowing for water infiltration, pest problems, and decreased property values. At Tom’s Basement Waterproofing, our family has proudly served the metro Detroit area with our foundation repair services since 1975. If you notice new cracks in your home’s foundation, call our local team today to inspect your foundation, and keep reading to learn more about what foundation cracks can mean for your home.
Types of Foundation Cracks
Foundation cracks can present in several ways, indicating possible problems with your home’s foundation. By understanding where these cracks come from and what they mean, homeowners can gauge if a crack needs immediate attention and an inspection by an expert like ours at Tom’s Basement Waterproofing.
Vertical Cracks: Vertical cracks in a foundation are by far the most common category of crack homeowners are likely to encounter in their foundation. Most commonly, small vertical cracks in a foundation result from a structure’s natural settling process. If they are hairline cracks, they are typically not an indication that the structural integrity of your home is in immediate danger, but they can allow water to enter your home’s foundation or basement. This water can cause vertical cracks to worsen when the temperature drops below freezing in the winter, as well as increase the humidity of a home during warmer months, causing mold and mildew problems. It is always best to have any crack in your home’s foundation inspected by licensed professionals to ensure no more serious problem develops.
Horizontal Cracks: Horizontal cracks in your home’s foundation are more severe than vertical cracks and typically indicate that large amounts of pressure are being applied to your home’s foundation. Left untreated, these cracks can expand, leading to foundation walls starting to bow inwards and possibly failing. Horizontal cracks require an immediate inspection and repair by qualified professional foundation repair contractors.
Stair Step Cracks: Stair step cracks are typically the results of uneven settling of a structure and can range in severity, as well as the risk they pose to a foundation. Normally, the larger these cracks are, the greater the rate of uneven settling of the home is occurring. We recommend getting stair step cracks inspected immediately.
Hairline Cracks: Hairline cracks in a foundation are typically harmless and can occur with the natural curing process seen when cement from a foundation is initially laid down. It is best to monitor these cracks closely and contact a foundation repair professional if they worsen.
Foundation Crack Repair Techniques
Foundation cracks can be repaired quickly and affordably with help from Tom’s Basement Waterproofing. Depending on the type of crack in a foundation, epoxy injections, polyurethane foam, or carbon strips may be used to repair it.
Epoxy Injections: Epoxy injections are used for cracks in cement foundations to restore the strength to your home foundation. With epoxy injections, a high-strength epoxy resin will be injected into a crack through holes drilled into the foundation, forming a solid seal in the cracks.
Polyurethane Foam: Polyurethane foam can repair cracks and leaks in a foundation. The application process is similar to using epoxy injections with holes drilled near the cracks for the foam to be applied but with a quicker repair time than epoxy injections. This method is best for waterproofing cracks in a leaky basement or foundation.
Carbon Strips: Carbon strips work well for repairing horizontal cracks and bowing of a foundation. Carbon strips are used alongside epoxy resin to strengthen your home’s foundation and repair existing horizontal cracks. This method is an effective way to restore your home foundation to its original strength.
By timely repairing your home foundation cracks, you can save money and avoid more severe problems with your foundation.
Contact Tom’s Basement Waterproofing for Foundation Crack Inspection Today
At Tom’s Basement Waterproofing, we have helped customers with foundation repair since 1975 as a local family-owned foundation and basement waterproofing provider. Contact us today to have one of our professionals inspect and repair your home’s foundation cracks at (586) 949-7826.