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How To Fix Foundation Cracks In Your Basement

May 3, 2022

If you are familiar with foundation cracks and want to fix them, then this article is for you. In this article, we explain how you can fix foundation cracks yourself using a variety of methods. We will also discuss other factors that contribute to basement foundation issues, such as soil expansion, defective plumbing, and poor construction.

Cracks in the basement can be caused by a variety of factors. These include:

  • subsidence or sinking
  • defective plumbing
  • poor construction
  • soil expansion
  • and others

The result of these factors is that your home’s foundation may experience stress and shift over time, resulting in cracks.

Don’t know the difference between structural and non-structural cracks? We can walk you through how to diagnose the issue and what you can do to keep the foundation of your home strong. Dealing with foundation cracks can be a nerve-wracking experience. As a homeowner, you might wonder if it’s an emergency situation or if you even need to address the problem at all.

Foundation cracks can be a problem if they’re not fixed. But no matter what type of foundation crack you have or how severe it is, it can be fixed! The two main types are structural and non-structural cracks. The latter is also known as waterproofing cracks and are easier to fix than structural cracks.

Non-Structural Foundation Cracks

Non-structural foundation cracks are usually caused by the shrinkage of concrete. They are minor in most cases, with no significant damage to your home. They often appear in random patterns and can run horizontally, vertically or diagonally. If these minor cracks do not cause any water leakage into your basement, they may not need to be fixed right away.

Structural Foundation Cracks

If you see stair-step cracking on the wall or a horizontal crack above where a footing is located, this may be a structural crack. These can be caused by footing settlement due to soil under the foundation compacting over time, or they could indicate a problem with the foundation itself that needs to be addressed. These structural cracks should always be inspected by a professional because if left untreated, they can allow water seepage.

If you have foundation cracks in your basement, experts will recommend using wall plate anchors to stop the bowing. Wall plate anchors connect to the inside of a wall plate, which is then attached to the outside of your foundation with a threaded rod, typically of high-strength steel. The rod’s ends are torqued together until they reach their maximum capacity, and the wall pulls outward.

If your basement wall is experiencing sheering, there is a solution for that. C-channel anchors can help stabilize the wall and distribute the load across its vertical length. Sheering happens when the top of the wall has moved inward while the bottom stays put. Steel beams are inserted into the foundation footer, which is then attached to outside anchors and a high-strength rod. The beam is torqued with jacks to pull your wall back outward.

Also Read:

https://gtawaterproofing.org/difference-between-epoxy-and-polyurethane-in-concrete-crack-injections/