Many homes, old and new, will get cracks in the walls at some point. As the house settles, the foundation may move slightly or significantly, amongst other evidence, causing the walls to develop cracks. This type of damage is usually a key sign of issues with the performance of your homes slab foundation, so they should never be ignored. If you notice cracks in your walls, you may need to schedule structural damage repair before they grow bigger. Here's a look at the most common culprits behind this problem.

What Causes Cracks in the Walls of a Home?

1. Framing and Plaster Changes

Wall cracks can appear in both new and old homes, and a common reason is swelling and shrinking of plaster or framing. After a new build or a home renovation, the plaster takes time to dry and set. As it does so, it loses moisture, shrinks, and cracks. In other cases, improper ventilation in attics or variances in moisture can cause framing to show cracks through drywall, baseboards and decorative molding.

When the cracks are due to plaster shrinkage or framing expansion and contraction, it doesn't indicate a problem with the foundation. In many cases, they can be repaired without any major work.

2. Foundation Damage

Angular cracks around doors and windows however, are signs that the house has experienced a substantial shift, putting enormous pressure on interior and exterior walls.

Foundation issues in south central Texas are indicative of expansive clay soil, improper slab foundation construction or an improper time allotment to allow land, or lot to settle properly prior to building.  Make sure to call for a foundation inspection so that a structural damage repair professional can verify the cause.

3. A Leak

When interior cracks are near water sources such as sinks or tubs, or areas that have drain lines that run through the slab foundation, a compromise in the drain line may be present, causing the soil to swell from excessive moisture and even cause the slab to heave in that area. The remedy is to have the line repaired by tunneling underneath the slab removing gravel base material that had been carefully designed by a structural engineer. Upon repair completion, this slab is now subjected to artificial and insufficient material replacement that will never live up to the original design.

If you're looking for professional structural slab foundation damage repair for your home, reach out to Risen Foundation Solutions in San Antonio, TX. This veteran-owned local business has a team with 25 years of combined experience. Whether you need structural damage repair, foundation inspection, or other foundation work, you can count on them for cleanliness, reliability, and customer satisfaction. Call (210) 796-6372 to speak with a team member, or visit them online to learn more about their services.