So you have begun to notice cracks in your foundation or basement wall. It’s normal to be concerned. Your home needs your foundation to provide a sturdy base. So that leaves the question, which foundation cracks are mostly harmless and which signal significant structural issues?

Which Cracks are Usually Harmless?

1. Hairline Cracks: Is the crack so narrow that it is difficult to even measure how wide it is? If so, outside of an exception discussed later on, it is probably no big deal so long as no water is leaking through it. Hairline cracks are generally defined as those less than 1/16th of an inch wide. They are usually caused either by the effects of the concrete shrinking as it dries or minor settlement after the home is built.
2. Vertical Cracks: Of the possible directions for cracks in foundation walls, vertical tends to be the least serious. These are often either hairline cracks or just barely wider and spring from minor settlement issues.

Which Types of Cracks are Usually More Serious?

1. Diagonal or Stairstep Cracks: Cracks that run diagonally in concrete foundation walls or go in a stairstep pattern on block or brick walls are often caused by more significant and uneven settlement issues. These cracks, including those coming off of a basement window, can be a sign of deeper structural problems and should be inspected.
2. Horizontal Cracks: Horizontal cracks are often a sign of structural problems, especially if the wall is beginning to bow as well. Often this is caused by hydrostatic pressure from water build up in the soil around the basement walls. The pressure pushes inward strongly enough that the wall begins to bow. You should both contact a foundational professional to examine the foundation and consider installing a drainage system to direct water away from your foundation.

Things that Could Signal Foundation Cracks are Serious

Outside of just the direction of the crack, there are other signals that can tell you the seriousness of a foundation crack.

Is the Crack Growing?

If you begin to notice cracks in your foundation, it is a good idea to document them with photographs so you can track them over time. This way you can tell if they are getting wider or longer, either of which can be a sign of an ongoing foundation problem.

Are There Multiple Cracks Near One Another?

This is one of the exceptions to the general rule about hairline and vertical cracks being harmless. One such crack is usually nothing to be concerned about. Multiple cracks within a small area, however, generally signal a deeper problem than just that the concrete shrunk a bit as it dried.

How Wide is the Crack?

In general, wider is worse. This is both because wide cracks are less likely to have harmless causes and because they are more likely to have side effects like allowing water to seep into your basement.

Are There Other Signs of Foundation Problems?

If a foundation is beginning to fail, the signs of it extend far beyond the foundation itself. Have your doors and windows begun to stick? Is your chimney leaning? Are other cracks appearing in your walls or ceilings? If so there is likely a deeper problem affecting your foundation.

Any Questions? Have Your Foundation Inspected

Foundation problems are nothing to mess with. If you have any questions about whether your foundation cracks are structural or not, contact a professional to have your foundation inspected. If you live in our Oklahoma service area, you can contact us today to get a free estimate.