Foundation Crack Types and Repair Method

Whether you've lived in Oklahoma for decades or are new to the area, you may not be aware that homes in Oklahoma and the surrounding areas are built on soil that is constantly contracting and expanding as a result of our changing weather patterns. The foundation concerns arise as a result of this expansion and contraction. Cracks in the walls and floors of a home are a telltale symptom of these problems.

Hire foundation repair specialist if you suspect you could have foundation issues that need to be resolved. We offer a variety of options for dealing with foundation issues. For the past years, we've been assisting homeowners in permanently resolving foundation issues.

What Is The Point At Which Cracks Become Serious?

Perhaps you've discovered a little crack and are worried that it's an indication of a larger issue that will require more than a fast remedy. It's crucial to understand that wall fractures aren't always a cause for concern.

Cracks That Run Vertically

Vertical cracks are common type of fracture in a wall, and they are frequently caused by a home's "settling." They usually go up and down in a straight line. If the crack's peak is near the junction of a wall and ceiling, it's most likely the result of the house settling after it was built. They might necessitate re-taping the drywall panel seams. Alternatively, urethane or epoxy can be injected into the crack to seal it.

These cracks are particularly widespread in newly constructed homes. New lumber, sometimes known as "green lumber," has moisture, which causes soil shift when it dries. We recommend waiting at least a year before correcting these cracks, as this will allow the lumber to properly dry and prevent you from having to repair cracks on a regular basis.

Hairline cracks around doors and windows, on the other hand, are frequently the result of a house settling. Cracks will appear where the wall's vertical wood studs were cut to permit a door or window opening, in this case, regions where the vertical wood studs were cut to house an opening for a window or door.

Finally, inadequate drywall panel taping could result in a thin, straight, up-and-down fracture. The joints are filled with mud and wrapped with paper tape when these panels are installed. If there isn't enough mud in the seam for the tape to stick to, the tape will pull away over time, causing the panels to separate. To keep the tape in place, you can often use household glue.

Vertical cracks going from floor to ceiling on two neighboring walls, on the other hand, may indicate a problem with your foundation's footing.

Opposite Direction Cracks

You may notice a 30-75 degree diagonal fissure running along your foundation or basement wall, which is frequently broader on one end than the other. They're caused by a foundation's differential settling: The foundation of a house settles lower on one side than the other.

This can happen if a house is built on a slope or if the soil beneath only one part of the house has expanded or contracted, causing the foundation to shift. Because the cause of the differential settling must be addressed, it is conceivable that this will take more money and time for repairing than a vertical crack. If it is determined that flooding is what caused the soil under that area of your foundation to shift, the answer could also include building new gutters to channel rainfall away from your property that floods on a regular basis.

Horizontal Cracks

The cracks that run horizontally (side-to-side) are the ones to be concerned about. They're most frequent in buildings built on concrete block or brick foundations, but they can also be seen in homes built on poured concrete. They could indicate serious foundation movement or water damage.

Soil pressure and hydrostatic pressure can cause your basement walls to bow – these are two possible causes. These must be handled immediately to ensure that the structural integrity of your home is not jeopardized. In order to stabilize your foundation and avoid further damage, it will almost certainly need to be reinforced.

Call Ram Jack by American Leveling for foundation repair in OKC and surrounding area. We work for slab jacking, pier and beam foundation repair and more.