Foundation Crack Repair
Concrete is made of cement, gravel and water. When the water starts to evaporate, the remaining ingredients then harden into a solid slab of concrete. Unfortunately, this portion of the process can cause the concrete to shrink a little bit, and this results in hairline cracks in the slab. While this kind of crack doesn’t threaten the structural integrity of the house, it does provide an opening for groundwater, insects and even radon gas to pass through.
Which Direction?
To know if you need assistance, take notice of the direction of the crack. If you have a horizontal structural crack, then it isn’t anything to worry about. If you see vertical cracks, or cracks that look like a staircase, they indicate a far more serious problem and you may require structural crack repairs.
What's The Size?
If it’s a hairline crack, these aren’t very serious and can be easily repaired. Even if the magnitude isn’t as severe (i.e. bulging or slanting), it’s worth being repaired, as having smaller cracks repaired early can prevent bigger problems and cracks in the future.
What Causes Horizontal Cracks?
Most horizontal cracks happen with frost damage. Freezing temperatures can actually cause the concrete to shrink. It can also be caused from an excess of pressure on the foundation from wet soil. The most important thing to note is that if you see a bulging crack, this could mean that the home is slowly sliding off of its footing and needs to be taken care of immediately.
Please do remember that if you see large, recurring cracks or bulging walls inside your home, don’t try to fix these conditions! Instead, call a professional so that he or she can handle it. That’s where we come in!
If you are in need of Foundation Crack Repair in Hamilton, please give us a call at:
416-236-8721