3 Important Tips for Repairing Cracked Foundations
The foundation of your house carries the entire weight of the building. Therefore, it is natural for you to be worried if you find any crack in the foundation. The good news is that many types of trials do not signal structural damage to the foundation. However, you should be concerned if you see horizontal cracks or diagonal and vertical cracks that keep expanding by the day.
The best way to address any crack in the foundation is to investigate its cause and repair it as soon as possible. Here are some critical tips for improving cracked foundations.
- Repairing Hairline Cracks
You don’t need to worry about small hairline cracks in the foundation since these cracks often indicate the normal settling of the foundation. Hairline cracks also occur due to the expansion and shrinking of the foundation as it cures. These cracks often don’t indicate structural damage to the foundation, but you still need to repair them so that they do not expand over time.
A technician can quickly repair hairline cracks in your foundation using grout and an appropriate cement or apply suitable masonry paint.
- Repairing Cracks Between 3 mm and 6 mm
Cracks that fall in the range of 1/8 to ¼ inch (3 mm to 6 mm) often occur due to foundation settling or shrinking of the concrete just a few months after construction. While these cracks may not pause a structural problem, it is a good idea to seal them to stop further expansion and prevent seepage of water and moisture through them.
It would help if you let a technician who is experienced in repairing cracked foundations examine the cracks to determine the best way to fix them. 1/8 to ¼ inch cracks typically need to be repaired by applying crack repair materials such as epoxy.
- Horizontal Cracks or Large Vertical and Diagonal Cracks
Horizontal cracks in your foundation may indicate serious structural problems such as foundation wall bowing or severe foundation shifting. Large vertical and diagonal cracks can also cause sections of the barriers to collapse.
A professional contractor needs to repair horizontal cracks and large vertical and diagonal cracks as quickly as possible. Since the repair work may involve straightening walls or joining disconnected sections of walls, the contractor will use a strong bonding material such as carbon fiber when repairing cracked foundations.
Contact the Professionals at Completely Dry Waterproofing today! 877-373-9084
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