Do All Cracks Mean Foundation Problems?

Although common in homes of all ages, wall and ceiling cracks frequently cause homeowners anxiety. Some wall cracks are insignificant, nothing more than minor flaws that can be easily fixed. Some kinds of cracks, however, are warning signs of severe structural damage. However, repairing foundation cracks shouldn’t be as worrying as 

Before attempting to fix a crack yourself, it is wise to seek a professional’s advice because it can be gard to determine the severity of a crack simply by looking at it. To decide whether to seek assistance from an expert, this article will tell you about the many kinds of foundation cracks.

Do cracks in the wall and the foundation mean foundation problems?

You may not necessarily have a significant foundation problem if you only have a little fracture in one of your walls or foundation. Minor surface-level cracks that are usually unharmful can be filled with drywall putty and a fresh coat of paint. However, a specialist is needed to repair foundation cracks to address more severe cracks. 

Let’s examine several typical wall cracks kinds to see which ones are a sign of a foundation problem. 

Types of cracks in walls and foundations 

Horizontal cracks 

Horizontal fractures in drywall are frequent signs of a weak foundation. Poor soil beneath the foundation, water damage, and other factors can all contribute to these fissures. Horizontal cracks in concrete walls frequently point to more significant problems.

A horizontal gap between your foundation and a wall clearly indicates that your foundation needs repair. To keep the gap from widening, your foundation must be repaired.

Vertical cracks 

Vertical cracks in the foundation and walls are frequent signs of the foundation settling. Vertical cracks are often less dangerous than horizontal ones since they follow the same direction as the drywall.

You shouldn’t be very concerned about repairing foundation cracks here. 

Stair-step cracks 

A staircase running diagonally across your wall is what a stair-step crack looks like. These fractures should be taken seriously since they are a typical sign of foundation issues. Brick exterior walls of your home or cinder block foundation walls in unfinished rooms can have stairstep fractures.

Door and window cracks 

Homes of various ages can develop cracks in the walls surrounding the windows. They may be brought on by incorrect window installation or natural settling. Over time, when a home lowers, the plaster may deteriorate and crack around windows and doorframes.

A greater indication that your foundation is seriously moving is a spreading fissure between your door frame and wall. Repairing foundation cracks like these require the skilled hand of a professional contractor. 

Bowed ceiling cracks 

Cracks in a bowed ceiling could suggest problems with the structure. The ceiling may split or bend if too much weight is on the floor above, such as a hot tub or pool table. This kind of ceiling fracture can also be caused by a ceiling joist or truss that is broken, or that is not the right size. If you see cracked or bowing ceilings, consider calling a specialist immediately.

Spiderweb cracks 

Little spider web fractures on your ceiling may indicate a thick coating of drywall. Usually, textured ceilings are made using a thin drywall compound. When sprayed too heavily, tiny fissures in the form of spiderwebs might develop because this substance contracts as it dries.

Nail-popping 

Although technically not considered “cracking,” nail-popping and the cracking phenomena are closely linked. If you see little, circular bumps or cracks, your wall or ceiling may have drywall nail pops. These cracks are not always something to worry about in only a year-old house. Nail popping from wood shrinkage is common in newly constructed homes.

Nail pops can indicate foundation problems and settlement in older homes, though. Furthermore, wall cracks and nails bursting together are warning indicators. No matter how many nails pops you have, it’s better to take care of them immediately before things get out of hand.

Should you DIY foundation cracks?

Attempting DIY foundation crack repair may be tempting, but seeing a professional is always better. Contact a trustworthy foundation repair specialist immediately if structural problems cause your wall cracks.

Zavza Seal is a reputable Long Island-based home repair and consulting service provider. Being in the contracting business for 20+ years, we have provided various home solution services to hundreds of homes across Long Island, NY. 

If you’d like to learn more about repairing foundation cracks, contact us today and get a free estimate on our services!