TYPES OF CRACKS
STRUCTURAL CRACK
HORIZONTAL – HORIZONTAL OR “STRUCTURAL” CRACKS ARE SERIOUS AND NEED TO BE ADDRESSED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THESE CRACKS ALMOST ALWAYS RUN ALONG A BAR OF STEEL IN THE BASEMENT AND CAN BE CAUSED BY A FEW DIFFERENT ISSUES. THE MAIN CAUSE BEING EXCESSIVE HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE PUSHING INWARD ON THE FOUNDATION WALL. FOUNDATIONS CAN CRACK AND EVEN START MOVING INWARD INTO THE HOME.
ISSUES THAT CAN ALSO CAUSE HORIZONTAL CRACKS INCLUDE LARGE FRONT ENTRANCES THAT ARE BOLTED TO THE FOUNDATION WHICH CAN PUT A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF STRESS ON FOUNDATIONS. THESE ENTRANCES CAN WEIGH 5,000 -15,000 LBS AND IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED REMOVING THEM AND REPLACING WITH A LIGHTWEIGHT WOOD LANDING. REPAIR FOR STRUCTURAL CRACKS INCLUDE EPOXY INJECTION COMBINED WITH CARBON FIBER BRACINGS OR POLYURETHANE INJECTION COMBINED WITH STEEL BRACING TO PROVIDE LATERAL SUPPORT FOR THE FOUNDATIONS.
HAVING A STRUCTUAL ENGINEER ASSESSMENT DONE ON ANY STRUCTUAL CRACKS IS ALWAYS RECOMMENDED.
NON-STRUCTURAL CRACK
THESE TYPES OF CRACKS INCLUDE VERTICAL AND DIAGONAL CRACKS. OFTEN CAUSED BY SETTLEMENT IN THE FOUNDATION OVER TIME, NON-STRUCTURAL CRACKS CAN BE A PAIN FOR LEAKING IN THE SPRING AND HEAVY RAINS BUT USUALLY DON’T HAVE A STRUCTURAL CONCERN.
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OFTEN FOUND IN CORNERS OF HOMES OR RUNNING FROM THE BOTTOM OF A WINDOW THESE TYPES OF CRACKS ARE EASILY REPAIRED USING POLYURETHANE INJECTION.