#FOUNDATION FRAMER CRACKED CRACK#

#FOUNDATION FRAMER CRACKED CRACK#

However, because basement and garage slabs are supported by the ground, ¼ in wide or larger cracks, vertical displacement at a crack line (the slab on one side of the crack line is higher than the other), or slab settlement can be a sign of a failure of the ground below and a review is recommended. Tight cracks are not considered a structural problem. When concrete cures (dries and hardens) it shrinks and wants to crack into relatively square sections this is why you see control joints on sidewalks to provide weak spots where the concrete can crack without affecting the aesthetics, strength or safety.Ĭracks may form with or without control joints. Typically no engineer review is necessary for this situation. This is caused when the brick veneer expands and the concrete foundation below contracts, which is normal. Most houses with brick veneer have triangular shaped cracks on both sides of at least one corner of the foundation wall – occasionally the concrete corner will pop off. A structural engineer can assess the situation and make recommendations. If there are interior cracks in the drywall or in the foundation wall that open in the summer and close in the winter, then the foundation wall might need additional support. These spaces typically have more shallow depth foundations than basements and are more affected by soils that dry and shrink during extended dry summer weather. What cracks elsewhere mean: Crawlspace foundation or garage foundation cracks Causes are similar to the diagonal crack issues listed above. Stair stepping cracks are very similar to diagonal cracks except stair stepping cracks occur in concrete block basement walls and diagonal cracks occur in concrete walls. If you are experiencing these in your basement walls, we recommend a review. There is no quick rule for diagonal cracks or for your foundation wall tilting inward. This can have several causes, but one of the most common is concrete shrinkage similar to that described in the vertical cracks section.

This type of crack is usually caused by the foundation settling.Ī third type of diagonal crack appears at the corner of a window or door opening. missing anchor bolts) between the basement wall and the first floor framing.Īnother type of diagonal crack can appear anywhere in the wall and is usually wider at the top and tighter at the bottom. It can be caused by the earth pushing against the basement wall and an inadequate connection (i.e. This is usually accompanied with inward tilting of the top of the foundation wall. One of the most common is when the crack begins at the top of the concrete basement wall and moves diagonally down to a corner. There are several common types of diagonal cracks in basement walls. If the crack continues to enlarge or the wall is out of plumb, a structural engineer’s review is recommended. If the wall is plumb (straight up and down and not tilting inward), you can potentially monitor it to see if the size of the crack changes. Sometimes a concrete or block basement wall will bow inward and develop a horizontal crack mid-height this is where the wall feels the maximum stress from the force of the earth pushing against it. Prominent vertical cracks 1/8 in wide or larger could be a sign of distress that may need reviewing. Often a concrete crack can be injected with a sealer to limit further moisture infiltration.īasements may have hairline to 1/16 in wide vertical cracks. If moisture is seeping through, you might consider having a basement waterproofing contractor review the leakage. This generally does not affect the basement wall structurally, but could allow moisture to enter if the outside wall’s waterproofing isn’t flexible enough to span the crack. What basement wall cracks mean: Vertical cracksĪs concrete shrinks during the curing process, vertical cracks form in the concrete or block, some so small they can hardly be seen. What does that crack in my basement wall mean? Is my home still structurally sound? Or is this something to be expected in a house? Below, find explanations of common types of cracks and clues to look for that can help you to remedy issues.

Foundation framer cracked