How to Deal with Basement Foundation Cracks in Kitchener

Apr 25, 2016

At the first sign of a basement crack, does your mind start running wild? “Has there been an earthquake?” “Is my house falling apart?” and more of the like. Foundation cracks are a concern, but they aren’t always threatening the structural integrity of the home. Cracks can occur for a variety of reasons, and they are completely normal. Do not mistake ubiquity to mean that they shouldn’t be addressed right away! Even non-structural cracks can widen or deepen into structural cracks over time, and they may be a sign of a bigger problem that you haven’t yet spotted.

Why do Do Basement Foundation Cracks happen?

Usually, cracks occur over time as the house settles, or because of shrinkage in the concrete as it cures. Bad construction may be another cause. Finally, something as simple as nearby rumbling trains and trucks can cause stress on the foundation, leading to cracks.

Settlement Cracks

Settlement cracks on the foundation are horizontal and typically 1-3 mm in width. Settlement cracks can also appear on basement walls and they have similar characteristics, but they are vertically rising up the wall.

Non-Structural Cracks

In most cases, settlement cracks are known as “non-structural cracks.” As the name implies, these cracks do not affect the structural integrity of your home. You can live with these in the house, but you still have to worry about water leaks and even radon infiltration, which is toxic. Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer behind smoking. It is a gas that sneaks up from the soil into your home and it should absolutely be addressed ASAP. So even though settlement cracks aren’t extremely serious, they still need to be sealed, and you might as well waterproof your basement in Kitchener completely and permanently at the same time.

Kitchener Foundation Repair

The Crack Doctor is a leading foundation repair company in Kitchener. Our full suite of services includes expert basement waterproofing, wet basement repair, and foundation repair. Whether the crack is structural or not, wide or thin, in your basement or on the exterior foundation wall, around doors or windows, no matter what, we can take care of it with permanent solutions.

Now that the snow has melted and the rainy season is underway, it’s more important than ever to make sure your basement is safe and dry. If you have a leak, contact us to set up an appointment for your FREE estimate.

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