5 Top Causes of Foundation Cracks in Racine WI

Foundation Cracks in Racine WI

The foundation is the most important structural element of your beautiful home. Unfortunately, it is tucked away from view and its problems might not be noticed in time. According to the Concrete Foundations Association of North America (CFA), foundation cracks form 78% of the problems most homeowners encounter.

A Brief on Foundation Problems

You do appreciate the sacrifice you made to own your home and it thus behooves upon you to learn about this prevalent problem. Some signs to look for, according to CFA, include horizontal or stair-step cracks along walls, tilting chimneys, cracks along door and window openings, and bulging walls, among others.

With your hectic daily schedule, it becomes almost impossible to note these foundation cracks and their symptomatic signs. This calls for more intense home monitoring in order to call in a foundation contractor immediately a sign is potted.

Causes of Foundation Cracks

To appreciate the prevalence of this problem in modern structures, consider these major causes:

1. Water

This is the biggest risk to your foundation and by extension to your expensive investment. Water pressure can either be upward, better known as hydrostatic pressure, or inward, which is technically known as lateral pressure, against your foundation walls.

Too much water in the soil around a foundation causes swelling thus pushing against the wall. This soil pressure causes cracking which jeopardizes your home. Plumbing leaks, poor roof drainage and poor grading are among main causes of excess water.

2. Poor Foundation Compaction

If the foundation concrete was laid unprofessionally and the soil around it received inadequate compaction, your house will settle unevenly. The effect of such oversight is shifting of your foundation leading to cracks due to insufficient support.

3. Type of Soil

Expansive soils and clay soils are very unpredictable for foundation construction. There are dramatic changes after the foundation is laid with clay spoils expanding in case of too much moisture and shrinking, tremendously causing foundation settling. Heaving and consolidation soils will cause foundation cracks depending on moisture levels.

4. Tree Roots

If your house is next to a big tree or bushes, it is most likely their roots will exert great pressure on the foundation leading to hair cracks. It is important to note that roots can grow as far away as the height of the tree, which means no tree should be close to your foundation.

5. Drought

This is an overlooked cause of foundation problem. After all, who can associate lack of water in the soil as a foundation hazard? Well, when moisture dries completely from the soil, shrinkage occurs leaving a gap between the foundation and compacted soil. This allows for foundation movement and eventually cracks.

It is not easy to detect foundation cracks and there is thus need for professional diagnosis by a contractor in order to initiate prompt corrective measures.