The foundation plays an important role in every structure. Without a good foundation, the building’s structural integrity will be affected. One of the signs that you have a damaged foundation is crack on the walls. However, not all cracks are created equal. There are cracks that are harmless and there are those that are pressing issues.
The problem with the regular homeowners is that they don’t know how to exactly determine the level of danger the wall crack brings. If you are like this, you can hire a professional of foundation repair Rowlett TX. Hiring a professional will help you analyze the crack and determine whether it’s just a blemish or a large issue.
Minor cracks are normal for the houses few months or years after its construction. You should be alarmed if you see horizontal cracks, separation cracks and gaping cracks might be signs that you are facing a bigger issue. In this article, we will show you how.
- Horizontal Cracks
The best way to determine if the crack is harmless; is to examine its shapes and direction. If you see a vertical crack that runs from the apex (where ceiling and wall meet), it’s a sign that the foundation experience some settling after its construction. The vertical cracks can be found in the direction of the drywall’s lines, so the cracks appear to be less serious.
However if you notice a horizontal crack at a 45 degree angle you should be alarmed because it means that your foundation is experiencing water damage or is shifting. The cracks that are not these serious are usually repaired with sanding tools, drywall putty, compounding joint and a new coat of paint. Severe cracks like horizontal cracks should be checked up by a professional. They will be able to point out the source of the damage, repair it and prevent further issues.
- Stair Cracks
Another type of crack looks like a flight of stairs, which is called a stair-step crack. These cracks appear in both horizontal and vertical directions across the structure’s walls. The pattern runs along with the cement lines and grout lines. These are mostly found in unfinished basements. Another cause of this is soil settling, again. You can tell if it should be a problem by hiring a professional to inspect the whole area and perform some tests.
- Doors and Windows
Now you’ve seen the cracks in your house, there’s another way to test if they should be a cause of alarm. Open and close the internal doors you have, the bathroom door, and bedroom door and evaluate if you can do it easily. If the doors get stuck, assess if it’s because of a cracked wood or faulty hardwood. When you swing the door, make sure that there are no obstructions because it might also a sign that the foundation is changing or shifting.
When the doors get stuck when you close or open them, it might be an indication that the doors have a twisted frame. If there’s a visible gap at the doors top and there’s a light shining through, that could be a sign of another settlement issue.
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