Normal Foundation Cracks

Foundation cracks are normal. They happen to all homes, just like normal wear and tear on a leather bag will eventually cause it to start showing its age.

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What Are Normal Foundation Cracks?

Foundation cracks are normal. They happen to all homes, just like normal wear and tear on a leather bag will eventually cause it to start showing its age. The problem is that foundation cracks are not always normal; sometimes they’re caused by issues in the home’s structure or even an earthquake.

What are the signs of a foundation problem?

Frequent exterior cracks in the house foundation. This can be an indication that your home is settling or shifting and there may not be enough support under it to keep it stable.
The roof seems uneven, with one side sinking lower than the other.
Homes built on hillsides are at risk of slope failure due to unstable ground below them as well as heavy rainstorms washing away soil from underneath the structure. You might also notice a separation between your home’s walls and floors if this has happened already.”
You will often find these normal foundation cracks near columns (or posts) where they intersect with beams in load-bearing structures such as roofs, stairs, and balconies.
Discoloration in the grout or plaster, hairline cracks on the floor and walls. This can be an indication that your home is settling or shifting and there may not be enough support under it to keep it stable.”

Why is my foundation cracking?

Foundation cracks can occur for a variety of reasons. Typically, normal foundation cracks form because the soil underneath the house has shifted and is no longer stable, or there are natural long-term movement cycles that cause it to shift with time. This causes an uneven distribution of weight on your home’s foundation which in turn forces its cracking over time. Other times normal foundation cracks could be caused by landfill settlement, water piping failures, tree roots growing too close to the house, or other similar occurrences such as excessive groundwater levels around underground utilities (pipes).

It should also be noted that some foundations may just have inherent flaws due to poor construction materials used when they were built, so this could contribute as well if you suspect this might be causing normal foundation cracks. One more normal cause of normal foundation cracking is ground movement due to environmental changes such as weather patterns or earthquakes.

For any reason, normal cracked foundations should be repaired to avoid major structural damage and the need for replacement down the line.

How do I fix a cracked foundation?

If small cracks are present, you may be able to fill them with a low expansion foam sealant. Foam is available at any hardware store and is easy to apply. It expands as it cures and fills in the crack or hole because of its high-density properties which give it adhesion qualities that normal caulk doesn’t have. You can also use normal caulking but this will not provide support for your house foundation.
For larger cracks in concrete, there isn’t much you can do other than replace the slab since these cannot be repaired without structural reinforcement by an engineer and specialist contractor to maintain the integrity of the building; otherwise, they could collapse if subjected to earthquakes or excessive settlement movement from poor soil conditions.