Your home’s structure and stability rely on a solid foundation. Over time, however, different factors can affect this crucial component’s integrity and cause cracks to develop. These can lead to systemic structural issues throughout the home, such as bowed walls and sinking floors. While it’s crucial to seek foundation repair services as soon as you suspect a problem, it’s also helpful to understand what causes those issues to develop. Here are three of the most common causes of foundation cracks.

What Causes Cracks in the Foundation?

1. Soil Moisture

Soil is a highly flexible material that responds to different environmental conditions. When dry, the material will shrink. When wet, it will expand. As the soil moves, it pushes against the foundation with enough force that cracks develop on the surface. Those cracks can worsen on chilly winter days. While freezing conditions are not the norm in Kentucky, they can occur occasionally. When that happens, the concrete will undergo a natural freeze-and-thaw cycle. As the ice melts, it seeps into the surface and causes the cracks to widen even further.

2. Household Leaks

Dealing with a plumbing leak may not always seem like an urgent matter, but it could eventually lead to the need for foundation repairs. Sometimes leaks from water or sewer lines can cause moisture to seep beneath the foundation, which contributes to deep cracks. The problem will continue to grow worse if the leak isn’t resolved promptly, or if you don’t have a sufficient basement waterproofing system that prevents water intrusion in the home. That moisture has nowhere else to go, so it will seep into the soil, expand, and crack the foundation even more.

3. Weak Drainage

The lack of an efficient drainage system can severely impact your home’s safety and integrity. It could cause basement leaks and mold formation, and eventually create the need for foundation repairs if surface water generates too much pressure against the walls of the home. By directing water away from the house via a strong channel, you can minimize the likelihood of a more severe problem. French drains and strong gutters are both practical choices.
 

Are you seeking a reliable foundation repair professional to resolve your structural concerns? Turn to the team at Case Foundation Systems in Louisville, KY. Proudly serving the community since 1944, this company offers a variety of services, including foundation inspections and basement waterproofing. Visit their website for information, or call (502) 367-7706 today to schedule an initial appointment.