A foundation crack is a break in the concrete or masonry of a foundation, and its shape says a lot about its cause. Thin vertical hairline cracks often come from concrete shrinking as it cured. Horizontal cracks often come from soil or water pressing on the wall, and stair step cracks through mortar joints often come from uneven settlement.
At HydroHelp911, we work in crawl spaces and basements across the Carolinas to fix the foundation problems homeowners find. This guide covers what each type of foundation crack looks like, what it can mean and when to have it looked at.
What Is a Foundation Crack?
A foundation crack is a break or split in the concrete or masonry that makes up your home’s foundation. Some cracks are cosmetic. Some point to structural movement.
What Are the Most Common Types of Foundation Cracks?
Hairline Cracks
What they look like: Very thin lines, often vertical.
What they can mean: Usually concrete shrinking after it was poured. Most of the time they are cosmetic, but moisture can find its way into a hairline opening.
Vertical Cracks
These run up and down the foundation wall, straight or slightly jagged.
What they look like: Thin to medium width, often running the full height of the wall.
What they can mean: If they are growing, they deserve a closer look. The cause could be soil pressure, water pressure or settling.
Horizontal Cracks
What they look like: A crack that runs across the wall from side to side, usually around the middle of the wall.
What they can mean: Often a structural issue, commonly from water and soil pressure pushing against the foundation. Over time, the wall can bow inward. See signs of a bowing wall.
Stair Step Cracks
These follow the joints of a block or brick wall, up and over like a staircase.
What they look like: A zigzag pattern through the mortar joints.
What they can mean: Common in brick or block foundations, and often a sign of uneven settlement, where one part of the house is sinking more than the rest. See stair step crack signs.
What Other Signs Point to a Foundation Crack?
Even if you do not see a crack, other signs can point to one:
- Doors and windows that start to stick or will not latch
- Sloping or uneven floors
- Gaps between walls and the ceiling or floor
- Water seepage or musty odors in the basement or crawl space
- Crumbling concrete or brick
Each of these can trace back to foundation movement, and sometimes to a crack that has widened over time.
Why Do Foundation Cracks Matter?
When the cause is not addressed, small cracks can let water in, and moisture can lead to mold, wood rot and further damage over time.
How Do You Tell Structural Cracks From Cosmetic Ones?
Cosmetic cracks, such as small hairline or vertical cracks, are usually minor, but they are worth watching.
Structural cracks, such as horizontal cracks, wide vertical cracks, stair step cracks or any crack that leaks water, are worth a professional inspection. They can be signs that the home is moving.
If a crack is growing or comes with signs of movement, such as tilting walls or shifting floors, that is a good reason to schedule an inspection.
How Does HydroHelp911 Fix Foundation Cracks?
We look for the cause behind a crack, such as soil movement, water pressure, poor drainage or construction problems, and repair it with that cause in mind.
Step 1: Free Inspection
We look at your home inside and around the foundation, check for movement and moisture, and identify the likely cause.
Step 2: Repair Matched to the Crack
Depending on the crack and its cause, we may recommend:
- Epoxy or polyurethane injection for small cracks that are not structural
- Wall reinforcement for bowing or shifting walls
- Helical or push piers to stabilize a settling foundation and, in many cases, lift it back toward level
- Interior drainage to relieve water pressure
Step 3: Warranty Coverage
Our warranty terms and their conditions are on our warranties page.
Is Foundation Crack Repair Worth It?
Foundation crack repair is not the most exciting home project, but the rest of the house depends on a stable foundation. When a crack comes from movement, the effects can show up throughout the home.
Get a Free Foundation Crack Inspection
Some cracks are harmless and some point to movement in the foundation. Our team at HydroHelp911 repairs foundations across North and South Carolina, and we will explain what is going on and what it would take to fix, with clear explanations and no fear tactics. Schedule your free inspection online.
Next Step
Schedule a Free Inspection
Call or fill out our quick online form. We'll book a convenient time to assess your home at no cost.
Learn more about our foundation repair services.
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Written by
Cory Parks
Owner & President, HydroHelp911
Cory Parks founded HydroHelp911 and leads its structural and moisture repair work for homeowners across North and South Carolina, from the clay soils of the Piedmont to the saturated, sandy ground along the coast.
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