Concrete Foundations Repair

Concrete Foundations Repair Worries

Building concrete foundations are typically made of either poured concrete or concrete blocks. The use of concrete blocks has been around for a long time, but some people prefer using the more modern method of pouring the concrete. If you have discovered that there is a crack in your foundation this can be very worrisome. Your concrete foundations can crack because of settling, which means that the foundation shifts due to the expansion or contraction of the concrete. How do you decide if you require a concrete foundation repair? 

There are three significant types of damage. The worst is the horizontal crack. If you find one of these then almost every time you will need to make a concrete foundation repair. Horizontal cracks are almost always caused by stress on the earth around the foundation that has become wet. The dampness can be caused by bad drainage. A useful test to assist with determining the extent of the damage is to measure the crack. If it’s more than a quarter inch wide then its serious and you can count on the requirement to make a concrete foundation repair. 

Vertical cracks are different. Most of them are only hairline and are usually the same length as they are wide. These are usually not significant and do not require taking any action. Unless the hairline crack goes to the bottom of the concrete foundation. In that case a concrete foundation repair will be needed.

The third type of crack is called a step crack. This is exactly what it sounds like, a crack that follows the outline of the mortar joins and can require a concrete foundations repair if they are more than a quarter of an inch wide or are wider at the bottom than the top. No matter which types of cracks you find make sure you get the work done by professions. The foundation of your house is what keeps your home standing.