The Top 3 Causes Of Foundation Cracks
Your foundation is a pretty important part of your home, hence the name, and a cracked or damaged foundation can lead to basement flooding and leaking rather quickly. A home cannot be waterproofed and allowed to have cracks in the foundation, which is why this is just one waterproofing service we provide at AA Action Waterproofing. For those in the Maryland area, many often wonder just how these cracks begin to appear in their foundation in the first place, and we want to provide you the answer to just that question!
The top 3 causes of foundation cracks are:
- Oversaturation of soil – When the soil becomes oversaturated after heavy rains or snow melts, your foundation is at risk of cracking. The walls of your basement, and your foundation, are held up by structures called footings, and these footings can begin to settle as they’re allowed to rest in over-moist ground. When the footings settle, the walls of your basement can begin to crack, as they can’t hold up to the extra pressure.
- Drought – While soil that is too moist can cause foundation cracks, so can soil that is too dry. During times of intense drought, the moisture will be sucked from the earth surrounding your foundation, causing the earth to contract and place extra pressure onto the walls and footings. As the footings settle from the dry soil, and the foundation is left to withstand the pressure, cracks can begin to form.
- Freezing and thawing – Just as soil will contract and expand during times of moisture and drought, it will also expand and contract during times of freezing and thawing. With the repeat of each that we see in the Maryland region each year, this is a major concern when it comes to the health and sturdiness of your foundation.
At AA Action Waterproofing, we can help to spot and fix these cracks no matter the cause. If you suspect that cracks have begun to form in your foundation, a waterproofing service can help you to keep your foundation sound and the water out, so call us today and see how we can make your basement sturdy and dry once again!