What Causes Foundation Cracks in Missouri?
Cracks are disconcerting no matter what area of the home they appear in. However, foundation cracks can be especially worrisome, as they are often a symptom of a major issue with your foundation, and can lead to several basement water issues and even further structural damage. This is why it is important to have foundation cracks fixed as soon as possible. But the first step to fixing any problem is determining the cause of the problem.
There are several different situations that can lead to cracks forming in your home's foundation. Most of these situations have to do with the movement or varying moisture content of the soil beneath the foundation. Some of the most common causes of foundation cracks in Missouri are:
- Hydrostatic Pressure: When the soil underneath and directly around your foundation has more moisture in it than normal, it can cause the soil to expand due to an increase in hydrostatic pressure. This pressure pushes on the foundation, causing the concrete to shift and crack.
- Heaving and Settling: During the winter months, when the ground repeatedly freezes and thaws with the temperature changes, the soil repeatedly expands and contracts. This causes the concrete above to heave and settle. If the heaving and settlement are severe enough, the foundation could develop cracks.
- Erosion: Heavy rains and snowmelt can lead to excess water in the soil, washing out voids beneath your foundation. These voids lead to foundation settlement and crack formation.
- Soil Shrinkage: During particularly dry times in the year, the soil will shrink due to the lack of moisture Soil shrinkage causes the ground to shift, forming voids and leading to foundation settlement and foundation cracks.
- Poor Soil Compaction: When workers fail to properly compact the area around your foundation, the soil may settle over time. This soil settlement can result in the settlement and formation of cracks in the foundation above.
- Vegetation: When drought-like periods spur the root growth of nearby trees and shrubs to push on your foundation in their search for water, it can result in heaving, settlement, and crack formation.
These are some of the most common causes of foundation cracks and other foundation problems in Missouri. For solutions to these problems, contact Pro Foundation Technology right away.
Solutions to Foundation Cracks in your Missouri Home by Pro Foundation Tech
One solution that we offer for foundation cracks that have resulted due to a shifting foundation is the installation of helical tiebacks. These work to straighten out bowing foundation walls and restore shifting foundations to their original position. When the foundation is back in place, cracks that have resulted close up. Helical tiebacks look much like large screws that are inserted horizontally through the wall to screw into the yard adjacent and provide opposite pressure that straightens the foundation.
For foundation cracks that have formed due to a sinking or settling foundation, helical piers or steel push piers can be installed. To install these piers, an area around the affected portion of the foundation is excavated so that the bracket can be attached to the foundation. Next, the pier bracket is attached and the pier is driven (or screwed if it is a helical pier) deep into the ground so it can anchor into stable soils far below. Once secured, the weight of the foundation above is transferred onto the pier, which can then stabilize and lift the foundation to the proper level, helping to close any cracks that may have formed.
These are a few of the foundation crack repair solutions that we offer. For more information on foundation crack repair in Missouri by Pro Foundation Technology, Inc., contact us today.
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Tags: foundation crack repair, foundation crack solutions, foundation cracks, foundation repair, slab cracks