Common Causes of Foundation Cracks in Homes

The foundation of our home has a heavy load to bear, supporting our home and our families. Even the best-laid foundation will inevitably develop cracks over time. These cracks tend to form in places where walls come together and near doors and windows. 

What starts as a minor crack will eventually widen, causing greater damage and allowing pests and water into your home. Knowing the underlying causes of cracks and what you can do to fix them is vital to home maintenance.

Identifying The Most Commonly Seen Foundation Cracks

While the cracks you’ll find are due to issues with your foundation, they can form in various places. Whether they form in the walls, ceilings, floor, or the foundation itself, you need to know when to reach out to your Ottawa foundation repair experts. 

Five common foundation crack types:

• Horizontal Cracks: These cracks form sideways and often result from pressure applied by soil or water. They can contribute to sagging support structures and are prone to worsening without repair. Eventually, they can cause walls to bow and expensive structural damage to form, so get foundation crack repair done quickly. 
• Vertical Cracks: When soil shifts or settles beneath your foundation, vertical cracks may develop. These cracks are generally nothing to be concerned with. However, something must be done if they grow wider than a quarter inch.
• Stair-Step Cracks: Your foundation may settle or move in uneven patterns, causing the creation of these stair-step patterned cracks. These cracks indicate a significant risk for your foundation having developed serious problems. They require an immediate call from your Ottawa foundation repair experts.
• Diagonal Cracks: Even distribution of weight and structural issues indicate the need for professional attention. While not all diagonal cracks are due to foundational instability, it’s not worth taking the chance. Unaddressed, this instability can lead to the need for expensive repair.

These five cracks are the types most commonly seen in homes experiencing foundation problems. Foundation problems can take various forms, each requiring its own maintenance.

Origins Of The Cracks In Your Foundation

Soil movement and weather are the fundamental causes of all foundation crack repair concerns. While poor workmanship and events like earthquakes can contribute, they’re secondary to these causes. We will explore the nine most common causes of these cracks and what you can do about them.

• Settling Foundation: It’s normal for your foundation to settle, especially in the first few years after your homes construction. Thankfully, this settling typically happens uniformly. Sometimes, however, your foundation may settle unevenly. This uneven settling can lead to the formation of gaps, cracks, and warped floors. This is common in homes constructed in poorly compacted soil areas.
• Natural Curing: The formation of hairline cracks is common on the walls of concrete foundations. These purely cosmetic cracks are due to the curing process and typically appear within the first two years. They aren’t generally cause for concern and can be addressed with cement or epoxy. If they continue to grow, however, call the professionals.
• Grading And Drainage Issues: Grading is the term for changing a slope over distance. When properly graded, the landscape around your home directs water away from it. When the grading is wrong, water can pool around the walls of your home. Ensure your yard has a slope of six inches over 10 feet to guide water away from your home.
• High Temperatures: Heat causes the ground to dry up, removing water and creating pockets that allow the soil to compact. Further, it causes your foundation to expand before cooling off in the evening. This constant movement of the concrete can cause it to begin to crack with enough time.
• Heaving Frost: Just as heat removes water from the soil, allowing it to compact, cold weather freezes it. This freezing causes the water to expand as it turns into ice, damaging your foundation. This shifting in the soil can cause cracks, destabilize floors, or cause them to tilt. 
• Expansive Soils: The composition of some soils causes them to absorb water rather than allow it to drain. Soils containing significant amounts of clay are the biggest culprits. The hot and cold changes mentioned above can happen in almost any soil. Expansive soils respond even more strongly, leading to greater shifts in the soil’s size and shape.
• Severe Weather: Heavy rains risk washing away the soil supporting your home. Even if the soil stays in place, it will absorb significant amounts of water, causing it to expand. This expansion will pressure your foundation, potentially causing it to crack or buckle. Effective drainage is critical in areas that experience this kind of weather often.
• Tree Roots: Tree roots are surprisingly strong and can be very determined by their growth. This means that they will slowly worm their way under your foundation. They grow slowly, but as they do, they can gradually increase pressure on your foundation. They also draw significant amounts of water from the soil, which can cause it to settle further. This settling of the soil can cause your foundation to shift, creating a risk of cracking.

Now that you know what can cause cracks in your foundation, it’s time to learn how to prevent them. You can follow a few simple proactive steps to prevent these cracks from forming. Start by ensuring your drainage system, including downspouts and gutters, is in good repair. 

Occasionally, check the grade of your yard and look for pockets or trenches where pools can form. Sump pumps are an important part of any internal waterproofing system but may not be necessary for all areas.

Is It Time To Contact The Foundation Experts?

When foundation cracks form, trying to handle them yourself can be tempting. While hairline cracks are simple enough for anyone to handle, even advanced DIYers can be challenged by more complex ones. Why put your home at risk by handling these cracks yourself? 

You can rely on the professionals at The Foundation Experts, your Ottawa foundation repair experts. Contact us today, and we’ll schedule a visit to inspect your home and provide a no-obligation quote to address your concerns.