Answering Some Important Questions About Foundation Cracks and Repair
The foundation of your home is supposed to last as long as your house stands. If you start noticing cracks in the foundation, it may be indicative of some severe issues with the structural integrity of your home. But before you consider hiring a professional foundation repair team, the following questions can help you understand the situation better.
Are Foundation Cracks Normal?
Contrary to popular belief, some foundation cracks are actually completely normal. In poured concrete foundations, cracks are the natural result of the shrinkage and settling of the foundation. These cracks do not present any reason for concern. If you wish, you can fill in the cracks. Leaving them alone is not going cause any trouble either.
Why Do Foundations Crack?
Often, there is not one single concrete (pardon the pun) reason for foundations to crack. In fact, it can be caused by the combination of any number of the following reasons.
Shrinkage - Cracks occurring due to shrinkage should be visible within the first couple of weeks of pouring the foundation. When the concrete dries too quickly, it shrinks in size, giving rise to hairline cracks.
Settling - When the foundation settles, it can cause minor cracking. Sometimes the foundation can also move due to the sinking of the soil beneath. Usually, there is zero to negligible cracking if the foundation settles uniformly. However, in the case of differential settling, the cracks may be too big to warrant a foundation repair service.
Extreme Weather - Oklahoma gets extreme weather every once in a while. In the dry stretch of summer, the soil shrinks away from the foundation. In winter, on the other hand, frozen soil expands and exerts pressure against the foundation walls causing them to crack.
Expansive Soil - Oklahoma has expansive soil rich in clay and silt. This soil expands in size (as much as a 10% increase in volume) on absorbing moisture. The pressure created is enough to crack the walls of the foundation.
Does a Foundation Crack Always Leak?
While not all cracks leak in practice, they do have the potential to become leaky. To prevent water intrusion, you can consider downspout extensions that redirect the rainwater away from the foundation. For some, regrading the soil may be fruitful too. Do note that if a crack leaks once, it will most likely leak again.
When is it Necessary to Repair Your Foundation Crack?
Even if the cracks in your foundation are minor, it is always a good idea to keep an eye on them. If you notice the cracking gradually widening, it could be the alarm bells ringing. Another sign of a foundation in need of repair is water logging in the basement. Other times, you might also notice rotting wood along the piers and beams. When the worse comes to the worst, you may observe jutting out doors and windows and bowing floors.