Anyone who has noticed foundation cracks in their house has worried a little bit and, sometimes, with good reason. Foundation cracks can be a serious problem to have to deal with, and the consequences of not stopping them soon enough are pretty severe. But you don’t always have to worry about foundation cracks – sometimes, depending on their size and stage, they’re a simple fix. Let’s go through a few scenarios that you may be experienced with your home’s foundation and outline the actions that should be taken.
Hairline cracks
Hairline cracks are super thin cracks that run along with your brick or concrete walls. They’re not uncommon, and they’re usually nothing to be overly worried about. That being said, it’s important you address hairline cracks before they start to widen and potentially allow moisture to seep. These hairline cracks are easy to fill in, using an epoxy fill that will flex with the wall.
Stair-step cracks
Stair-step cracks can be a sign of foundation movement, which is a more serious problem than a couple of hairline cracks here and there. Stair-step cracks look like stair steps in your brickwork or concrete wall. They may affect a handful of bricks or, more seriously, a large span of the wall.
There are some handy ways to test whether your stair-step cracks indicate that the foundation is moving. Locate the closest windowsill to the stair-step cracks and try to open it. If it opens and closes with difficulty, or has trouble staying open without you holding it, then it could possibly be another sign of foundation issues. Foundation movement will only get worse, costing you more money in repairs, so it’s important to call a professional like the team at Techniblock to inspect and assess your foundation before it’s too late.
Horizontal and stair-step cracks
Horizontal and stair-step cracks in your foundation are definitely something to be concerned about. When both of these types of cracks are prevalent, it could be a sign that the wall is giving way due to hydrostatic pressure – when water builds up under your foundation and applies pressure to the wall. If your home is showing both horizontal and stair-step cracks, call the team at Techniblock immediately.
It can be easy to freak out and panic about cracks in your foundation, but it’s important to keep calm and have your home assessed by the experts at Techniblock. They’ll give you a detailed report about your foundation and set to work fixing it. Techniblock have solved foundation problems for hundreds of Melbourne homes and can guarantee they’ll fix yours too. Get in touch with Techniblock for an inspection and quote today.
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