Foundation Crack Repair: The Ultimate Guide
Believe it or not, foundation cracks pose a serious threat to your home. Since the foundation supports the entire structure, even small cracks can cause damage to floors, walls, doors, and windows. Addressing foundation cracks promptly helps prevent structural issues and protects your home’s stability.
Remember: foundation cracks are serious, but today’s foundation repair methods can resolve the problem and protect your home from future damage.
3 Best Methods of Foundation Crack Repair
Foundation cracks may start small, but they’re more than a simple cosmetic concern. Without proper repair, they tend to worsen over time. The most effective way to address them is with professional solutions designed to restore stability and prevent future issues. Here are three common repair methods:
1. Foundation Piers
Foundation piers, including push piers, helical piers, and slab piers, are highly effective for stabilizing foundations. Each pier system redistributes the load on your home’s foundation, making it stronger and more stable.
All pier systems are driven deep into the ground, where they are embedded in bedrock or other sturdy soil. This provides the strength needed to properly support your foundation well into the future.
Choosing the best pier system for your home depends on several factors, including the foundation type, the extent and location of the damage, and the soil type.
2. Wall Repair
If your home has a basement, the foundation walls themselves could crack. In order to fix them, the best course of action is to install wall repair options such as:
Each of these foundation crack repair tools fits against basement walls, stabilizing and straightening them over time. Once installed, foundation cracks may even clos,e and the wall will stay protected for years to come.
3. Crawl Space Support Jacks
Homes with a crawl space may experience foundation cracks if the original crawl space support beams start to fail (usually due to mold or wood rot). Many crawl spaces have brick or block walls surrounding them, so when the structure becomes weak, the walls will crack.
Foundation crack repair in your crawl space is possible with crawl space support jacks. These are adjustable steel beams that are attached to the weakest support beams in your crawl space and then tightened to provide newfound strength to the foundation—closing and preventing cracks in the process.
Can You Repair Foundation Cracks Yourself?
Foundation crack repair is NOT a DIY project. Foundation issues are symptoms of underlying structural problems that are best handled by professionals. Attempting a DIY fix can result in an inadequate solution that fails to address the root cause, potentially worsening the problem and requiring more expensive repairs in the future.
Plus, improperly repaired foundations significantly affect your home’s safety and value. For these reasons, it’s best to consult with a qualified foundation repair specialist to ensure the problem is properly diagnosed and rectified. AquaGuard provides free inspections to help you take the first steps toward a better foundation!
What Causes Foundation Cracks?
Foundation cracks are usually caused by soil issues beneath your home. For instance, during periods of heavy rainfall or snowmelt, water can displace the soil supporting your foundation, causing movement and weakening. This soil settlement causes foundation sinking and cracks. Other common causes of foundation cracks include:
- Poor Drainage: Clogged gutters and downspouts allow water to pool near the foundation, causing cracks and soil erosion.
- Poorly Compacted Soil: Improper building practices, including poor soil compaction, can cause settlement and cracks.
- Weather and External Forces: Wet/dry cycles, earthquakes, and excavations introduce stress that can cause foundation cracks.
- Tree Roots: Landscaping and vegetation absorb water and can cause issues if planted near your home’s foundation.
Why Are Foundation Cracks a Problem?
Foundation cracks are a problem because they threaten the structural integrity of your entire home. As foundation cracks progress, they lead to other issues in your home, such as uneven floors, floor cracks, and doors and windows that stick or won’t close properly. Delaying foundation crack repair only worsens the situation.
Schedule a Free Foundation Inspection With AquaGuard
Seeing cracks around your home and need a reliable foundation repair expert? AquaGuard Foundation Solutions has served homeowners across Northern Georgia since 1995 with trusted foundation crack repair services.
With industry-leading foundation repair solutions and nearly 30 years of experience, our team delivers professional service and reliable results for every homeowner we help.
Contact us to schedule a free inspection today!
Foundation Crack FAQs
The cost of repairs depends on many different factors like the size of your home, the extent of the damage, the nature of the repair method, and permitting. But rest assured, we do everything we can to fit our work into your budget with flexible financing. The best way to find out how much repairs will cost is to get a free inspection from us. On the day of our inspection, we’ll give you the exact price of our work with no hidden fees ever baked in.
Cracks that go unrepaired will only get worse and threaten your home’s stability and your family’s safety.
Wall cracks will widen, you might not be able to close or open doors or windows, and floors may be uneven.
It’s possible the foundation could sink far enough into the ground that your house becomes unlivable. Or worse yet, walls could cave in.
Regular inspections, at least annually, can help catch early signs of foundation damage. AquaGuard provides professional inspection services to identify potential problems before they escalate.
Related Resources
Publish Date:
Last Modified Date:
Our Locations
1 Huntington Rd., Suite 803,
Athens, GA 30606
875 Pickens Industrial Dr
Marietta, GA 30062
382 Senoia Rd
Tyrone, GA 30290
3205 South Martin St.,
East Point, GA 30344