A cracked foundation can result in basement leaks, sagging floors, sticking doors, damaged drywall, and more. Unfortunately, exterior cracks can spread before they’re noticeable indoors. To keep your home secure, here’s what you need to know about three causes of foundation cracks and what you can do to prevent them.

What Causes a Foundation to Crack?

1. Rainstorms

A surfeit of water around a foundation causes the soil around a house to swell. Excessive pressure of soil against a foundation eventually leads to cracks. You can minimize damage from rainstorms by keeping gutters and downspouts in top-notch condition. An effective drainage system collects rainwater and efficiently directs it away from a house. Clean gutters regularly so they don't clog and overfill. Any sign of water pooling around the foundation of your house should involve gutter inspection and repair.

2. Drought

As with too much rain, too little moisture can also lead to a cracked foundation. Dry soil contracts and pulls away from concrete and cinder block foundations. Without the support of the surrounding earth, a foundation may shift under the weight of the house.

When cracks appear in your foundation, your home may flood and sag. To keep your foundation stable, don’t let your lawn and gardens dry out. When necessary, direct a sprinkler to moisten the soil at the base of your home.

3. Freeze-Thaw Cycles

Concrete is porous and, as a consequence, absorbs moisture from the soil around it. As water expands as it freezes, it exerts pressure on concrete, causing cracks. The presence of cracks allows more water to penetrate the foundation during a thaw, and cracks will widen during the next freeze.

Freeze-thaw cycles throughout winter result in ever-worsening cracks. To minimize moisture absorption, replace the soil around your house with several inches of sand or gravel. Granular materials speed drainage, permitting water to drain away from your foundation before it can penetrate concrete.

If you have a cracked foundation, contact Cook Waterproofing in Cincinnati, OH, for expert foundation crack repair. They serve clients across the Tri-State with permanent solutions to keep basements dry. They also provide outside drainage systems, waterproofing, and sump pump installation. Visit their website to learn more about the services they offer, or call (513) 486-6676 to arrange a waterproofing consultation.