Does Your Hampton Roads Home Have One Or More Foundation Cracks? If So, AMC911 Has The Right Repair Solution.
What Are Foundation Cracks?
Foundation cracks are cracks in a foundation wall. They come in various sizes and shapes. Some are horizontal, others diagonal. Horizontal and diagonal foundation cracks are almost always a sign of structural damage. Vertical cracks in a foundation wall are the least serious and usually caused by shrinkage during the concrete curing process. Whatever the type of foundation crack, we have a solution for you to include crawl space piers, underpinning with push, helical & slab piers, concrete lifting, and carbon fiber repair. Contact us today for a free assessment.
What Causes Foundation Cracks?
At AMC911, our experts and engineers have pinpointed a few reasons why your home could be crumbling. The following are the most common, but we can help:
Differential settlement
All foundations will settle into the soil slightly after they’re built. This is pretty normal and not a problem so long as the settlement is uniform. Problems arise when the settlement is differential. Differential settlement is when part of your foundation settles into the earth at a faster rate than the rest. This phenomenon occurs as a result of the soil beneath your home changing volume and moving due to shrinkage. If you notice stair step cracks in bricks, spreading cracks in drywall, sticking doors and windows, uneven floors, or cracked or tilting chimneys, your home could be suffering from differential settlement.
Hydrostatic pressure
When the soil around a foundation wall gets saturated with moisture that can’t drain off, hydrostatic pressure will build up and push against the wall. If the pressure isn’t relieved, the foundation wall could bow inward and even crack.
Shrinkage during the concrete curing process
These cracks are usually vertical and appear in poured concrete foundation walls. While they aren’t structurally significant, they can allow water to seep through the foundation wall. If you notice hairline cracks in your basement or crawl space wall, undetectable musty smells, or mold growing in your crawl space, your home could be suffering. As is such, the structural integrity of any wooden members of your home and your health will be at risk.
Other Causes of Foundation Cracks
The main causes of structural foundation cracks are differential settlement and hydrostatic pressure. Differential settlement is caused by various things including:
Expansive soil
As the soil swells and shrinks due to varying moisture content, the ground under the foundation moves. This can lead to differential settlement.
Erosion
Erosion-prone soil can cause voids to form. If the foundation sinks into the voids, you’ll end up with differential settlement.
Natural disasters
Earthquakes, sinkholes, floods, etc., can all cause differential settlement.
Improperly prepared soil
Before anything gets built on top of it, soil needs to be adequately tamped down. If this isn’t done, the structure could settle unevenly into the soil after it’s built.
Excavation
Heavy excavation next to your house could destabilize the soil under the foundation and cause differential settlement.
All of the above have one thing in common: They create movement in the soil under the foundation and this is what leads to differential settlement. The silver lining is help is available to you. Call our team of experts today to receive a free inspection to uncover the root of your foundation problem.
AMC911 Foundation Crack Repair Services In Hampton Roads
The chosen foundation crack repair solution depends on what caused the crack. Was it differential settlement? Hydrostatic pressure? Shrinkage during the concrete curing process?
AMC911’s foundation crack repair services include:
Underpinning
If the foundation crack was caused by differential settlement, the most common repair solution is underpinning using push piers, slab piers, or helical piers. Underpinning essentially extends the structure’s foundation down to soil that’s able to support it. This solution permanently stabilizes and strengthens the foundation.
Once the piers are in place, the foundation is raised to maximum practical level. That’s a fancy term that just means we raise the foundation as much as we can without causing damage to the structure. Most of the time, this causes the foundation cracks to close.
Carbon Fiber Straps
If the foundation crack was caused by hydrostatic pressure pushing against a foundation wall, carbon fiber straps are a common repair solution. Carbon fiber is extremely strong, just about impossible to tear or break, and stabilizes the wall to prevent it from moving inward.
Installation is quick and minimally-invasive. Carbon fiber straps can be painted or covered with drywall. Nobody will know they’re there.
Epoxy Crack Injection
If the cracks were caused by shrinkage during the concrete curing process, epoxy crack injection is probably the best solution. Epoxy crack injection seals the crack and prevents moisture from seeping through the foundation wall. The procedure can be completed in no time flat.
