Maybe you have a large crack in your basement wall or small cracks in basement walls that are not due to weather or wear and tear. Either way, if you have extensive cracks in your basement wall, it’s a good idea to get them inspected by a structural engineer, who can provide estimates for basement cracks repairs or share the next steps.
A foundation inspection allows experts to look at the inside and outside of your home and assess its structural integrity. A foundation inspection is also important if you build a new addition or make other major changes to your property.
Why Do You Need to Have a Professional Looking at the Cracks?
If you have extensive cracks in your basement wall, it’s a good idea to get them inspected by a structural or foundation contractor like us, who can provide estimates for repairs or share the next steps. A foundation inspection allows experts to look at the inside and outside of your home and assess its structural integrity, and help eliminate many foundation problems.
Source of cracks in basement walls
The crack in the basement wall could be caused by many different factors, such as:
- Water penetrating through the walls
- The soil around your home is too soft (especially after heavy rains)
- Poor drainage in your foundation
If you have extensive cracks in your basement wall, it’s a good idea to get them inspected by a structural or foundation engineer who can provide estimates for repairs or share the next steps. A foundation inspection allows experts to look at the inside and outside of your home and assess its structural integrity.
As you know from reading this article, there are different reasons why cracks occur in basements. The most common cause is settling when soil conditions below the foundation change over time. If there is more than 1 foot of movement in one direction, it’s likely that the foundation has shifted and will need repairs.
The other reason for underground floor cracks is settling due to water seepage or flooding that has occurred through leaks or broken pipes. For these, you may also require water damage restoration. While these issues can be addressed separately, they often co-occur as soil conditions change beneath the home flooring. In this situation, a foundation inspection will help determine what repairs are needed to stabilize your foundation before further damage occurs along with cracks in basement walls.
If your basement leaks, you’ll want to know why this is happening and what needs to be done about it. Most likely, if the water isn’t coming from your foundation, it’s from a cracked pipe or pipe damaged by termites. If there are cracks on the exterior of your home, you should also take care of any damage caused by rot or termites to prevent further damage.
Consequences of Cracks in the Basement
We all know that cracks in your home’s foundation are not good news. They can weaken the structure and cause problems, including leaks, settling, and potential structural damage. A foundation repair inspection allows experts to look at the inside and outside of your home and assess its structural integrity.
If there is an obvious reason for the cracks — like water intrusion or settling — it’s especially important to get these issues addressed as soon as possible.
Tips on How to Handle Crack in Your Basement walls
Get a thorough inspection.
If there are extensive cracks in your basement walls, they will likely be unable to be fixed quickly or inexpensively in terms of cracks in basement walls. Be sure to get an expert opinion on whether it’s worth fixing them because the cost could exceed the house’s value if repairs aren’t completed satisfactorily.
Check for changes
Make sure you check any changes in your basement walls with regular inspections.
Get in touch with professionals
Consider hiring a professional contractor specializing in foundation repair if you have severe structural issues caused by water damage or settlement. If you have existing cracks in the walls, hire an expert to inspect these areas so they can be repaired properly without causing further damage to your home along with cracks in basement walls.
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