Cracks In My Home: Where Do They Come From?


where do cracks come from blog graphic from pro foundation technologyAre you a homeowner in the Kansas City area who is experiencing wall, ceiling, or floor cracks? The good news is you are not alone. Almost every homeowner goes through foundation issues such as cracks at some point or another and there are multiple solutions out there to solve this issue. The bad news is cracks throughout your home mean that you may be experiencing foundation problems. Where is the source of the foundation issue? What problems come along with cracks? There are many questions that people have when it comes to this specific foundation issue. This is why we will further explain signs to look out for, where these cracks are coming from, and some solutions that are available for you and your home.

Signs of Cracks

Besides the most obvious sign of cracks, which is noticing the physical cracks along with your ceiling, floors, or walls, other signs are not always so apparent. If you notice mold or mildew in your home, this may be a sign of a foundation crack somewhere in your Kansas City home. How does that relate to a crack? When you have a crack somewhere in your home, this is allowing outside forces to enter the home, including water seepage. Once water seeps into your home and is not properly taken care of, mold and mildew start to form, which could lead to serious health issues for you and your family. Some mold and mildew issues you may not be able to see, as it could be behind the walls or under the floorboards. This is why it is also important to look out for musty smells around your home, for it could very well be mold forming somewhere that is not apparent in the home. Not only water seepage could come along with cracks, but also other outside pests such as insects or rodents, which is something that no one wants the headache of dealing with. So you have detected the home crack or cracks in your home, but where is the sole issue coming from?

Causes of Cracks

Settlement

Cracks among your Kansas City home are a sign of foundation issues. Cracks in your ceiling, floors, and walls could come from one or many different causes. A major reason for foundation cracks can be due to settlement of your home. Settlement of the home occurs when the soil around your foundation does not contain enough moisture, causing the soil to shrink down. Lack of moisture in the soil could be caused by multiple days without rain, tree roots extracting the moisture or poor-pre construction. When the soil shrinks, your foundation may shift or move with this soil, causing leaning walls, misaligned doors and windows, and the main problem we are discussing today: cracks.

Upheaval

On the other hand, the soil around your home can receive too must moisture, causing similar issues to your home. If you have multiple days of heavy rain, a leaking pipe, clogged gutters, flooding or other issues that could lead to oversaturation of the soil around your foundation, the soil will expand. Once the soil expands, it will cause additional pressure to the walls of your foundation, causing upheaval. With upheaval comes many foundation issues, one of them being cracks. While settlement and upheaval could happen to anyone at any time, there are multiple solutions to these problems so that you do not have to deal with the problem that cracks bring any longer.

Foundation Repair Solutions

When it comes to cracks in your home, many people think that they can DIY repair home cracks. While sealing up the home cracks yourself may seem like a cheaper and easier option, it is not providing a long-term solution. Sealing and patching up cracks only solves the issue temporarily and does not fix the main root of the problem. So in perspective, the issue will just keep occurring, eventually worsening. Luckily, there are many professional foundation repair companies out there that offer crack repair services, Pro Foundation Technology being one of them. Pro Foundation Tech offers high-quality, customized foundation repair services in the Kansas City area. When it comes to cracks, the location of the crack and the reason behind the crack will depend on which solution is right for you and your home. Some of these solutions include:

Foundation Cracks Solution

  • Steel Foundation Piers – These are driven deep into the soil to provide lasting support for your sinking foundation. They are then used to lift your foundation back up to its original level and to stabilize it for years to come. These piers will prevent any further issues from coming about.
  • Crack Injections – This is a method that uses polyurethane foam to seal the cracks along your floor. Using this method will ensure that nothing can come through the cracks and also that your concrete is securely bonded back together.
  • Helical Piers – These piers are driven into the ground way beyond the unstable soil. Once they reach a completely stable layer of ground, they then lift the structure onto the piers to stabilize the foundation. Helical piers are ideal for situations where a resist in tension or compressive force is needed.

Above are just a few of the foundation repair services that Pro Foundation Technology offers our customers in the Kansas City area. When it comes to your specific situation, we will offer a completely customized solution that will ensure that your home is safe and secure for a lifetime. All of our products used on job sites are of the highest quality and are 100% American made. Pro Foundation Technology is compiled of a team of dedicated, hardworking individuals who make sure that the job is completed efficiently and effectively, and done right the first time. For more information on our services or a free estimate, give us a call at 816-358-3300. No matter how big or small the problem may be, Pro Foundation Technology has it covered.