Are Basement Wall Cracks Normal?

Are basement wall cracks normal? It’s not uncommon to be in any basement and notice a few cracks here or there. Yes, they can be frustrating to the homeowner, but

they’re a common occurrence

. Stress points are one of the reasons cracks are created in your walls. They can occur when you’re installing lines for the electric, gas or sewer.

When should I be concerned about cracks in basement?

“Major” cracks are

anything more than 3⁄4 wide with a leaning foundation

. Finding these cracks would be cause for concern and could signal a much more costly, structural problem. When cracks become this severe, the best course of action is to consult a professional foundation specialist or a structural engineer.

How common are basement cracks?

It’s

very common for cracks to form in a home’s foundation after it’s built

. Most times the cracks are normal, non-structural settlement cracks. However, there are many reasons why a foundation cracks, such as settling of the home, concrete shrinkage and curing, stress, and poor construction.

Is it normal for concrete walls to crack?

When you see a crack in your concrete slab or wall, your first assumption is typically that something has been done wrong–but that’s not always the case. Actually,

concrete cracks are very common, some are even inevitable

.

Do all basement walls have cracks?

If your basement has poured concrete, it will develop a horizontal crack

. If your basement wall is concrete block, it can develop either a horizontal or a stair-step crack.

How can you tell if a crack is structural?

1. Stair-step cracks.
2. Cracks on foundation slabs or beams.
3. Vertical cracks that are wide at the bottom or top.
4. Cracks measuring 1/8′′ in width.

How much foundation cracking is acceptable?

Any cracks measure more than 1/4-inch wide. However, some experts say cracks

more than 1/8-in. wide

should be addressed. Cracks appear to be growing.

How do you know if a wall crack is serious?

Severe – cracks up to 25mm wide could be a sign of structural damage and should be inspected and repaired by a professional. Very severe –

any crack above 25mm in width indicates serious structural damage

and will need major repair work, which could include underpinning and rebuilding.

How do you know if a foundation crack is serious?

If the crack is located closer to a corner and is wider than 1/8 in

, it is probably not due to shrinkage but indicates a more serious foundation issue. If your vertical foundation crack is wider than 1/8 of an inch, call a professional to get it inspected as it may be a cause for concern.

Do all foundation cracks need to be repaired?

You might get jittery and start asking yourself whether they are harmless or severe. Here’s the thing. Not all foundation cracks are necessarily bad. In fact, most cracks are pretty normal and the good news is,

they can be fixed

.

What causes horizontal cracks in basement walls?

Most horizontal cracks are caused by

excessive water pressure from outside

. In addition to other sources of pressure such as soil movement, it has the potential to impact your foundation’s integrity. One of the most serious types of horizontal cracks is a horizontal crack in a foundation slab.

Will hairline cracks in concrete get worse?

Yes, in about a month, hairline cracks should subside

. While shrinkage cracks can show up on the surface within hours of having concrete poured, it takes a full monthfor new concrete to fully settle. Don’t be surprised if cracks that seemed visible at first are nearly impossible to see after a month of settling.

How do you fix a crack in a concrete basement wall?

Basement wall repairs are best done

with a caulking gun and an epoxy-based resin

. To heal most cracks, particularly those in the mortar between concrete block, you can place the tip of the tube of epoxy into the crack and squeeze the trigger to apply the sealant.

When should you walk away from foundation issues?

The most glaring issue has to deal with the foundation. When to walk away from foundation issues?

Horizontal or diagonal cracks measuring more than 1/4 of an inch

is a good reason to walk away.

Does crack in wall mean foundation issues?

Is Your Wall Crack Caused By A Foundation Problem?

Wall cracks are usually a sign of foundation movement but they don’t necessarily mean there’s structural damage

. In other words, a foundation can move slightly and cause a wall crack, but that doesn’t mean there’s any structural damage requiring a foundation repair.

How do you tell the difference between settling and foundation problems?

The Difference Between Foundational Settling and Problems

With soil expansion and contraction, it is normal for a part of a building to move a few inches.

A foundation problem, on the other hand, is a more serious matter and should be monitored with extreme caution

.

What do settlement cracks look like?

Settlement cracks

in walls can be vertical, horizontal or diagonal and in floors they aren’t necessarily straight

. They can vary in width but, if crack widths are less than 2mm wide, they are unlikely to affect the structural stability of your home.

Can a house collapse from foundation issues?

The first question that comes to mind is, can a house collapse from foundation issues? The answer is

yes, however, it is also not that simple

. It can take years to develop a serious foundational issue that would cause your home to collapse. In most cases, if it does, it’s concentrated on a specific area of the home.

Is my house settling too much?

If the cracks you’re seeing are horizontal or wider than 1/16 of an inch, that could indicate improper settling

. If you’re seeing cracks inside the house that exactly match (mirror) cracks you’ve noticed on the exterior, it’s usually an indication of a foundation issue you need to address.

How do you know if you have a foundation problem?

Places like walls, door frames, and finishes placed on walls

are the ones that tell you there’s a foundation in need of repair. If you are seeing several of these kinds of symptoms, it’s likely that you need foundation repair or at least need an inspection from a foundation repair expert.

Does homeowners insurance cover cracks in walls?

Walls can crack due to humidity, natural settling, sagging ceilings and more. Unfortunately,

cracked walls aren’t typically covered under homeowners insurance

. Homeowners insurance covers the structure against: Fire.

Are hairline cracks normal?

Generally, smaller hairline cracks are not cause for concern

. These are usually the result of seasonal expansion and contraction of clay soils beneath your house over time, and can be easily patched and re-painted.

Are cracks in old houses normal?

More often than not no. All houses crack sometimes – after all they are big solid boxes that get hot and cold, wet and dry and altered.

Very often cracks in old houses are due to regular thermal and moisture changes in the structure and brickwork and are not a cause for worry

.

What’s worse vertical or horizontal cracks?

Horizontal cracks

They usually occur because of excessive outside pressure, such as shifting soil, water pressure, or other sheer forces to the foundation.

Horizontal cracks are much more dangerous than vertical cracks

because they can quickly lead to total foundation failure.

What cracks should I worry about?

Typically, wider cracks signify more serious issues than thinner cracks. Cracks less than 1/8-inch thick are considered stress cracks and are harmless, while

cracks 1/4-inch wide and larger

are often more serious.

Do all foundations crack?

Not all foundation cracks should cause you to lose sleep

Many homeowners worry about foundation cracks. The good news is

not all foundation cracks affect your home’s structural integrity

. Sometimes they’re just ugly and caused by shrinkage during the concrete curing process.

How big is a hairline crack?

Hairline cracks are commonly observed in freshly placed concrete and their occurrence is owed to the phenomenon of plastic shrinkage. As the name implies, these cracks are very small-

about 0.003 inches (0.08mm) in width

and can be very shallow.

How long should concrete last before cracking?

Cracking typically starts within

12 hours

of the finishing process. Weather conditions will slow or accelerate it. Shrinkage cracking is typically planned for and handled with control joints. One way to handle cracks in concrete is by using control joints.

How much does it cost to fix a cracked basement wall?

Can a foundation crack be repaired from the inside?

French Drains are something that most people are unfamiliar with, but

can frequently be used to repair foundation leaks from the inside

, rather than excavating outside.

What causes cracks in concrete walls?

Cracks in concrete are common and they develop when

stresses in the concrete exceed its strength

. Cracks are often caused by normal shrinkage of the concrete when hardening and drying.

How often do Houses Collapse?

According to Trulia, the percentage of real estate contracts that fall through for any reason, including a bad home inspection, is

3.9%

. That means 96.1% of contracts make it across the finish line, which are pretty good odds for any deal.

Is it worth buying a house with foundation problems?

The Bottom Line:

You Shouldn’t Ignore Foundation Issues, And Your Lender Won’t

. Foundation issues are serious and can’t be ignored, no matter how minor they may look and how much you love the house you’re trying to buy. Even if you’re willing to overlook them, your lender will not be quite so accommodating.

Is it worth it to repair foundation?

Or perhaps you are considering purchasing a home with a busted foundation or even a recently fixed foundation and you want to know if it’s worth the investment. The truth:

foundation repair always increases home value

. A failed foundation can detract anywhere from 10% to 20% of your home’s total value.

When inspecting basement foundation walls you should report which cracks in your report?

Vertical Cracks in Basement Walls

If the cracks are less than 1/8” wide, consider filling them with a waterproof sealant to prevent moisture from entering the basement. However,

if the vertical cracks are 1/8” wide or bigger

, you should have it inspected.

Is crack in poured concrete foundation?

Are foundation cracks normal? Yes, and they usually are no reason to panic. In fact,

most cracks in a poured concrete foundation are a natural result of foundation settlement and shrinkage of the concrete during the curing process

and can be easily fixed or simply left alone.