Foundation Wall Cracks
Foundation wall cracks are a nightmare for any homeowner. They are often an indication of a serious foundation problem that will most likely be costly to resolve depending on the underlying cause of the cracks.
Shifting Soils and Foundation Wall Cracks
You may be surprised to learn that foundation wall cracks can occur as a result of the constant shifting of your home. This shifting is the result of the changing conditions of the soil surrounding the foundation. While shifting of soil is normal, the extent to which the soil shifts plays an important role in whether you will experience cracks in your foundation.
The extent of shifting of the soil is determined by several factors. These include:
- The type of soil in the area
- the topography of the landscape surrounding the foundation of your home
- The design and efficacy drainage systems that are installed on your property to guide water away from the home
- The changing seasons
When the foundation of the home is exposed to large amounts of water, the foundation will shift as a result of the hydrostatic pressure exerted against it from the surrounding soils. This often results in cracking especially when the force is much more than the foundation can handle.
Foundations can also crack when the soils surrounding the foundation lose water and become dry. The volume of the soil is greatly reduced causing the soil to shrink away from the foundation. This greatly reduces the support that the soil provides the foundation and leads to the foundation bowing outward.
Preventing Foundation Wall Cracks Resulting from Soil Shifting
There are several things you can do to prevent foundation wall cracks caused by soil shifting. This includes taking the following steps:
- Installing and maintaining rain gutters
This ensures run off from rain water on the roof is not deposited near or close to the foundation of the home. Ensure that gutters are cleaned regularly and downspouts drain into a proper drainage that guides water away from the foundation.
- Ensuring proper grading of your landscape
Ensure that your landscape slopes away from the foundation. This will prevent water from accumulating in the soil near the foundation of your home.
- Avoid flooding the landscape
- Install outdoor drainage systems to guide water away from the foundation.
- Avoid planting trees near the foundation of the home.
Be sure to have a professional contractor check the cracks in your foundation and guide you in the repair and maintenance of your foundation.
Jeff’s passion for basement waterproofing can be traced back to his early days at Everdry Waterproofing. He spent significant time working in every department not only to learn and improve but to help those who worked with him advance both personally and professionally.
Jeff has worked in the Waterproofing industry for 35 years, gaining experience in marketing, sales, service, and installations. As a seasoned basement waterproofing professional, he is passionate about advancing his knowledge in waterproofing and developing his team. In addition to basement waterproofing, he is also a board member for a non profit that educates and protects consumers against unethical business practices. Outside of the office, Jeff enjoys travel, music, and time with his wife of 36 years and his two sons.
Curious about the brains behind the great content here? It’s me, Jeff Schleuning, with 35+ years of expertise in the basement waterproofing industry and a rich history of owning a Basement Waterproofing franchise in Michigan.
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