It is hard to know when those small cracks in your home are a problem and when it’s time to get a professional. Here are some sure signs to help you identify a problem before it becomes a major issue.
How To Identify Foundation Problems
Cracks can appear around your home for many different reasons. Sometimes it is hard to identify if a crack indicates a larger problem or if it’s just the result of a house settling with age. The weather, and even your soil, can change the way your home settles, creating dangerous gaps under your foundation.
Check Up Your Cracks Often
Regularly walk around the interior and exterior of your home and mark any cracks you see. Record the date and the size of any cracks. When you take another walk around, you can see if there is an issue or not.
While you are in your home, check for any damage in crawl spaces, basements, walls, and ceilings. If you notice any cracks that are larger than 1/16th of an inch wide, get a professional to check on them.
Functional Damage Or Structural Damage?
It can be difficult to tell if a crack is going to be harmful. A professional will be able to tell if a crack will affect the functionality of your home and protect the interior of your home from the exterior elements.
If a suspicious crack is left unattended, it could affect the structural integrity of your home. This could mean your walls’ load-bearing capability could be compromised, which could result in dangerous cave-ins.
Soil Issues
If you have issues like unleveled floors, gaps above kitchen cabinets, or hard to open doors, then your soil (or even the weather) could be affecting your foundation.
In dry seasons, your soil can shrink and reposition itself causing shifts in your homes foundation. These kinds of issues will need professional help.
Types Of Foundation Cracks
Cracks can come in all different sizes and positions. However, some are more dangerous than others. Know which cracks cause serious harm to your home and which ones just need a quick patch.
Static or Dynamic Cracks?
A static crack is your everyday old house crack that doesn’t continue to expand and is caused by your home settling. These are found in your routine inspections and do not continue to expand then they are probably safe to fill with a sealant.
Dynamic cracks can indicate a larger structural compromise. These types of cracks continue to spread wider with time.
Typical cracks are vertical however horizontal cracks can be the most dangerous because it shows that the soil beneath your home has contracted and left space between the hard ground and your foundation. If these kinds of cracks are left untreated, they can completely destroy a home.
Any Doubts? Call A Professional.
Many people ignore foundation issues until they become a larger problem. By doing this, they are creating a dangerous home to live in while also making the repair more costly. If you are uncertain about any foundation issues, call Ram Jack of Texas and get a quote.
