What Are the Risks of Ignoring Foundation Cracks?
Foundation cracks are a common, but often worrying, issue for homeowners. While some are harmless, others may herald serious structural problems – and even the small cracks may grow worse over time, leading to more significant concerns if left unaddressed. Staying ahead of foundation repair is essential to maintaining your peace of mind and your home’s structural stability. Here, Dry Tech Waterproofing Solutions explores the causes of cracks, their risks, and what to expect from foundation crack repair.
What Causes Foundation Cracks?
House foundations don’t last forever. Though they are designed to be the most stable part of a home, anchoring the rest of the structure, they are just as subject to damage due to time, accidents, and the elements. Some of the most common threats include:
- Poor drainage: When water from rain or snowmelt is not able to drain away, it soaks into the soil. This causes the soil to swell, building pressure around your house foundation.
- Dry weather: Just like soil swells when wet, it also shrinks when dry. This causes soil – especially clay soil – to pull back from the foundation, withdrawing its support.
- Ice: Water freezes when it expands. Winters, especially those where ice is allowed to thaw and re-freeze, can put tremendous amounts of stress on a foundation.
- Tree roots: Trees spread roots wherever they can, including into cracked concrete. As these tough roots continue to grow, they press deeper and make existing cracks worse.
- Leaky plumbing: If you have a leak in your plumbing system, the water sinks downward and under the foundation, causing shifts and instability in the soil.
- Flooding: Major flooding, whether caused by a plumbing failure or a severe storm, can damage foundations with the force of water entering or leaving the basement.
Poorly built foundations are the most vulnerable. Even the soundest foundation, however, can begin to deteriorate under years of exposure to these heavy stresses.
Risks of a Cracked Foundation
If you notice a crack in your foundation, even if apparently minor, it’s vital to have your basement checked by a professional. It can be difficult to tell the difference between harmless damage and a serious structural concern without an expert’s trained eye. In addition, even fine cracks can become major problems if ignored for too long. The risks you may face include:
Water Intrusion
A whole and undamaged foundation provides an effective seal against outside moisture. As the concrete cracks and degrades, however, water may find its way in. This leads to humidity and dampness. As the moisture problem worsens, it may cause damage to home furnishings and belongings.
Floods
Cracked foundations are also more vulnerable to flooding, especially if you live in a flood zone or a region prone to severe storms. As waters rise, your damaged foundation is unable to prevent massive intrusion – and the damage that results may not be covered by your standard insurance policy.
Mold and Mildew
If the moisture problem remains for an extended period of time, it may result in mold growth. Basement mold can negatively impact your air quality and even your health. While mold remediation solutions exist, DIY remediation is dangerous while professional services may be costly.
Wall Bowing
If the foundation becomes severely damaged, the basement walls may begin to bow or bulge inward. This indicates that the external pressure is more than the wall can sustain. It is also less able to support the weight of your home, leading to uneven floors and angles upstairs.
Structural Failure
The worst-case scenario for cracked foundations is total failure. When this occurs, basement walls collapse inwards under the weight of soil and the house above. This is catastrophic for your home’s comfort and safety, and repairing the resulting damage is often extremely expensive.
Improve Peace of Mind with Foundation Crack Repair
Foundation cracks can be mended with foundation repair. Our highly trained professional team at Dry Tech Waterproofing Solutions has the experience to spot cracks in your foundation, including those you haven’t yet noticed. They then utilize the latest tools and techniques to create a lasting solution. We also offer foundation parging and stabilization to address more serious concerns.
All of our services are provided at fair prices. We offer free estimates to help you budget for your repair. Flexible payment plans and interest-free financing are also available if you need extra assistance. Your finished product will be protected by a lifetime warranty – so if you ever see problems with your repair, we’ll be back to fix it.
Repair Foundation Cracks with Dry Tech Waterproofing Solutions
Foundation cracks can be the herald of more serious concerns. If you notice damage in your foundation, get in touch with Dry Tech Waterproofing Solutions. We serve Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware with foundation crack repair and related services. Contact us today to find out more or to request a free estimate on your repair.
