Discovering a crack in your home's exterior, foundation, or ceiling can be distressing. While some cracks are minor and not concerning, understanding the type that your home features allows you to have a foundation specialist repair the issue promptly and prevent long-term damage. Below are several common cracks that you may encounter.

Understanding Foundation Cracks

1. Horizontal

This type of crack is one of the most concerning fissures, and it usually forms in the basement of the home. If your basement walls have long cracks that are parallel with the ground, the walls likely cannot support the soil pressure pushing against them. Over time, they may eventually bow inward, allowing water to seep through the openings and damage the concrete. To restore your walls, foundation specialists will inject hydraulic concrete into the fissures. Alternatively, they may install vertical anchors in the surrounding soil. Then, they secure these plates to rods driven into the basement, helping alleviate pressure.

2. Vertical, Diagonal & Stair-Step

While vertical cracks look concerning, they are rarely a structural threat. These form naturally when the home's foundation settles. However, this becomes a larger issue if the crack is wet, as moisture damage can erode the concrete. Foundation specialists can prevent this by injecting a water-resistant filler inside the crack to seal it.

Diagonal cracks appear for the same reason as vertical fissures and require the same treatment. If you have a block and mortar foundation, these may appear as diagonal, stair-step cracks. However, this is a more serious structural problem because the mortar cannot support the blocks when it is damaged. If you can slide a quarter into the opening, you need prompt repairs to prevent a collapse.

3. Hairline & Shrinkage

Hairline and shrinkage cracks appear within the first year of construction and are almost always cosmetic. These occur when the foundation cures, expelling the moisture that was in the original mixture. As the concrete dries, the foundation shrinks slightly, with the pressure potentially cracking the surface. A foundation specialist can fill these openings with an epoxy to restore the appearance.

4. Slab

Cracks on the concrete slab form for several reasons. For example, the concrete may be curing if the home is new, which poses no structural threat. However, this can also occur when the soil beneath the foundation shifts and pushes against the slab, which is more serious. Any fissures that are larger than a hair require immediate attention. Foundation specialists can reinforce the foundation to prevent further problems.

When you need help addressing foundation cracks, contact J & R Basement Waterproofing in Akron, OH. They have been serving the area since 1986 and offer foundation crack repair and waterproofing services. They’re committed to finding the cause of your issues and providing long-term solutions. Call (330) 418-3373 to schedule an inspection, and visit the website to learn more about their services.