When you see a crack in the foundation of your home in Garden City, Kansas, you might wonder if you need to be worried. It might be difficult not to worry, seeing as your home is literally supported by that foundation. So how do you know when to worry and when not to worry?
JUST ANOTHER CRACK IN THE PAVEMENT?
A large number of homes have cracks in their foundations, not all cracks are as serious as others. As a home gets older in Garden City, Kansas, there is more likelihood that there will be cracks in the concrete. However, there can be other reasons besides the age of a home that causes cracks to occur.
Common reasons that foundation cracks occur:
- Tree roots
- Foundation settlement
- Expansive soils
- Drainage issues
- Plumbing leaks
- Poor soil compaction
This is not the entire list of reasons that foundation cracks can occur in Garden City, Kansas, but they are the more common reasons of a quite comprehensive list of possibilities. With all the possibilities, how can you determine the seriousness of a foundation crack?
The seriousness of a crack depends on:
- Location of the crack
- Size and direction of the crack
- Amount of cracks
- Signs of other structural concerns
ONE CRACK IS NOT THE SAME AS ANOTHER
There are multiple types of cracks, some generally not quite as serious as others. Given the amount of reasons that these cracks could occur in Garden City, Kansas, it is possible that the fix and cost of fixing that foundation crack will vary as to the seriousness and the cause of the foundation crack.
These are the four general types of foundation cracks:
- Horizontal cracks
- Stair step cracks
- Diagonal cracks
- Vertical cracks
While each should be a cause for concern in Garden City, Kansas, generally the more serious cracks are horizontal cracks and stair step cracks. Horizontal cracks usually occur because of excessive outside pressure, such as shifting soil, water pressure, or other forces pushing in on the foundation.
Horizontal cracks are considered one of the more serious foundation cracks because they can quickly lead to foundation failure in Garden City, Kansas. Stair step cracks are typically the result of foundation settlement or moisture related problems outside the foundation. They are also considered one of the more serious types of foundation cracks because stair step cracks usually happen along mortar joints and can result in bowing or bulging walls that would severely disintegrate the structural integrity of your home.
Diagonal cracks and vertical cracks are usually due to the settling or shrinkage of a concrete foundation and can be quite common in new construction in Garden City, Kansas. They are generally considered the least serious and the easiest to fix with a water-resistant epoxy or polyurethane injection in the foundation crack.
WHEN SHOULD YOU WORRY?
It can be hard to determine when you should worry and when you shouldn’t in Garden City, Kansas. The following is a short list of things to look for if you are worried but aren’t sure if the foundation crack is structural.
- Cracks that are wider than 1/10 inch
- Cracks that are wider at one end
- Cracks that are getting bigger over time
- Stair step cracks in brickwork
- Horizontal foundation cracks, with or without bowing
- Several vertical cracks near each other
- Big diagonal cracks
- Cracks that go down the ceiling and down a wall
It may still be difficult to decide whether you need to be worried or not. In that situation, it is probably best to contact a foundation repair professional. They will be able to inspect and let you know if the foundation crack issue is serious or not. In the case that it is serious, they will be able to determine the cause of the foundation crack in Garden City, Kansas and help to provide options and remedies to return structural integrity to your home.
If you have noticed some foundation cracks and they have you concerned or worried in Garden City, Kansas, FreshCo Cleaning and Restoration can provide an inspection to determine the cause of the foundation crack and provide options to fix and remedy the foundation cracks if necessary. Please give us a call and we can schedule an inspection with one of our foundation technicians.
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