Foundation Cracks

There are many different reasons for vertical cracking in a foundation. The most common causes of vertical cracks include frost heaves, frost jacking, and soil settlement. These vertical foundation cracks can also be caused by uneven settling of the house or unequal weight distribution on one side of the building. Whatever the cause, vertical crack issues need to be addressed before they become too big to handle.

What is vertical cracking?

• Vertical foundation cracks are vertical splits in the concrete or brick that form along the length of a support column and can be found at every floor level.
• The vertical splits in the foundation usually start at one end of a column and continue up to or beyond an adjoining column.
• Vertical cracks that extend from foundation blocks, exterior walls, chimneys, stairs, porches, or retaining walls may indicate insufficient support for those structures
• Vertical cracking can be caused by uneven settlement of earth under foundations due to soil creep
• Why do foundations crack vertically?

Vertical cracks in a foundation can be caused by many factors. First, vertical cracking is usually the result of an exterior or interior moisture issue. Water that soaks into a home’s basement will eventually cause vertical or horizontal cracks to form throughout the foundation and at any other point on the property where water has been present for extended periods. In some cases, vertical cracks may also appear due to poor soil conditions such as hard clay soils which are unable to hold enough water themselves without causing erosion problems elsewhere. Other reasons for vertical crack formation include lack of proper drainage (typically from sump pumps) and improper grading around your house leading to ground slumping over time which causes stress on your foundation walls when it rains heavily during a storm.

How can you fix vertical cracks in your foundation?

Fix vertical cracks in your foundation by using a crack-sealer. You can also repair vertical foundation cracks with epoxy and sealant mixed to create the same effect as a crack sealer. Use vertical concrete slabs or steel beams, along with anchors if needed, for long-term solutions to fix vertical foundation leaks that need more than just a quick fix. If you’re not sure what type of problem it is then try calling an expert before any other action should be taken such as drilling holes into the wall or ceiling up pipes.

If you notice vertical cracking around your exterior brick walls, then this could be due to the frost heave commonly seen during winter months when water expands from freezing temperatures outside against the cold interior temperature.

Vertical cracks in a foundation can be repaired on-site with a very simple process. This repair is called crack injection therapy and it involves injecting epoxy into the vertical foundation crack to seal them up.

Prevention of Vertical Cracks 

Vertical foundation cracks can be prevented by drilling vertical holes through the basement floor and into bedrock. The vertical shafts should not exceed a depth of 30 feet below grade. This method will prevent vertical movement from occurring due to groundwater pressure, frost heave, or soil shrinkage. Grouting is also used in conjunction with these vertical shafts for added protection against water seepage around the base of the building.