Cracks in Foundation Walls
Discover the cause of foundation wall cracks and how Groundworks safeguards homes all across Alberta.
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When the walls that support your home start to crack, it’s time to take action. If ignored, foundation wall cracks widen and compromise your property’s entire structure, putting your loved ones at risk.
This is no DIY project, either. Solutions from a hardware store only provide temporary relief, and cracks will reappear soon. You need a professional foundation repair team to fix this issue permanently.
Your Groundworks expert identifies the root cause of foundation cracks and offers permanent repair solutions to prevent their return. Our patented foundation repair products protect your property from additional damage and more expensive repairs.
Do you have cracks in your foundation walls?
Book your appointment today.
What Are Cracks in Foundation Walls?
Your home is only as good as its foundation walls, which bear the weight of your property and provide structural support. Cracks appear on these walls due to fluctuating soil conditions, concrete shrinkage, or other factors, eventually damaging your home’s structural elements.
Small cracks might not seem like a cause for concern. However, they will widen over time, which leads to water damage, mold, pest, and wood rot. Wide cracks also cause bowing, tilting, or buckling in your walls.
What Causes Foundation Wall Cracks?
Cracks in your foundation walls happen for various reasons
Concrete Shrinkage
Poured concrete is prone to shrinking, which creates small cracks in foundation walls. These cracks don’t increase in size much, so they pose little risk to your home’s structure.
Foundation Settlement
Foundations settle if the soil underneath them compacts or shifts. If this is the cause of your foundation cracks, you’ll need to hire a professional repair expert like Groundworks.
Clay Soils
Expansive clay soils, common in Alberta, shrink when dry and swell when wet. These fluctuations put pressure on your foundation walls, forming cracks. Walls can also bow, lean, buckle, or tilt inward during this process.
Hydrostatic Pressure
Heavy rain or snowmelt is another common reason for foundation cracks in Alberta. If this moisture saturates the soil under your home, it will cause hydrostatic pressure. As a result, concrete walls crack, especially if drainage systems can’t effectively remove water buildup.
Poor Construction
Inadequate foundation installation, weak steel reinforcement, and inferior concrete are other causes of cracks in foundation walls.
Identifying Cracks in Foundation Walls
Recognizing the signs of foundation wall cracks prevents more significant damage to your home. Here’s what to look out for:
- Vertical cracks
- Horizontal cracks or stair-step patterns
- Cracks exceeding 1⁄4 inch
- Cracks with rust stains from exposed rebar
- Other signs of foundation damage, such as floor gaps, uneven floors, and sticking doors and windows
- New cracks or widening cracks
Can You Fix Cracks in Foundation Walls?
The best way to fix foundation cracks is to address the source of the damage. Crack fillers and other store-bought products are insufficient, temporary fixes that won’t solve the issue.
Groundworks recommends a whole-home approach to stabilize the foundation, including braces, anchors, foundation piers, and water drainage solutions. By stabilizing your foundation, you’ll preserve the structural integrity of your property and stop new cracks from forming.
Foundation Repair Solutions
How to Fix Cracks in Foundation Walls
Our team uses a blend of solutions when repairing foundation wall cracks in your home:
Wall Anchors
Our exclusive wall anchor system fixes cracks that appear due to clay soils or hydrostatic pressure. We install anchors in the ground outside your property that connect to steel rods running through your foundation wall. Tightening these rods counteracts exterior pressures that cause cracks and bowing.
Wall Braces
The IntelliBrace™ Wall Repair System suits cramped spaces with limited exterior access. We use this technology to close existing cracks and straighten walls.
Foundation Piers
For settlement cracks, we install push, slab, or helical piers under your foundation to stabilize and lift uneven areas.
Drainage
Our advanced interior drainage systems control hydrostatic pressure. These systems channel groundwater to a sump pump, redirecting it from your home’s structure and preventing foundational damage.
Groundworks specializes in foundation repair and perimeter waterproofing all throughout Alberta. All our proprietary products come with long-term warranties for your peace of mind.
Why Repair Cracks in Your Foundation Wall Now?
Repair foundation cracks before they get worse! Taking quick action prevents the following:
- Cracks allow water intrusion and soil shifting, damaging your home.
- Expanding cracks jeopardize your home’s structure and increase instability.
- Doors and windows can stick together as walls shift out of alignment.
- Uneven settling due to cracks causes floors and ceilings to slope.
- Ignoring cracks risks leaning, buckling, and collapsing walls.
- Cracks lower your home’s resell value.
Contact Groundworks for Foundation Wall Crack Repairs
If neglected, foundation wall cracks put your home and your safety at risk. Get to the root of the problem with our foundation repair solutions and protect your home from further damage.
Schedule a free, no-obligation inspection and estimate now.
Cracks in Foundation Walls FAQs
Concrete shrinkage, clay soils, and foundation settlement are some of the main reasons foundation walls develop cracks. During our free inspection, we’ll identify the cause of your specific issue and offer customized solutions.
DIY fixes won’t tackle the source of your cracked foundation wall problem, so cracks will eventually return. Professional foundation repair is a safe, comprehensive solution that avoids further damage to your home.
After our initial inspection of your foundation, you will receive a free price estimate. The cost of repairs depends on the number of cracks, the size of your foundation, and other factors.
Do you see any of these signs? Book an appointment now!
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