Wall Cracks – What Do They Mean?
Does your home suffer from cracks in the wall? It’s probably the last thing you want to see as a homeowner.
While your first instinct may be to fill the cracks, it’s important that you have a foundation repair company come out to properly inspect the damage.
Cracking in the walls and the floors may indicate that there are larger issues at play, like foundation damage.
However, a crack in the wall doesn’t always mean there are foundation issues, sometimes it can just be a surface problem without signaling there is a more serious issue.
Dealing with the cracks:
The first thing to do when you spot a crack in your walls is to contact a foundation repair company and to set up an inspection.
A foundation repair company will be able to assess the damage, and advise on a solution for repair – whether that’s fixing it aesthetically or dealing with any foundation issues.
Identifying the type of crack:
Wall cracks resulting from foundation damage tend to occur when the foundation has shifted and/or the ground has moved. While minimal settlement is normal and to be expected with time, settlement can become problematic when it starts to affect the structural integrity of the property.
The foundation can become compromised when there are changes in the soil conditions, such as clay shrinkage, local construction disturbances, intrusive tree roots, and seismic activity.
While you should always consult with a trained professional before trying to fix the cracks yourself, there are a few ways to identify the type of crack to determine if it’s more likely to be the result of foundation damage.
Cracks that are clustered together in a group, cracks that are wide (especially horizontally), and/or cracks that are located near doors and windows typically indicate there are more serious foundation issues at play.
Risks of covering cracks:
You should never cover the cracks before having them inspected. Wall cracks are an early indication that there are problems with the structural integrity of a building. When these cracks are ignored, or go unrepaired, this can lead to rapid deterioration of the home’s structural stability, which in turn creates an unsafe space while escalating the costs for repair.
If you think your home is in need of foundation repair and/or earthquake retrofitting, contact Julian Construction today and we will send one of our foundation specialists out to conduct a free, thorough inspection with a quote for repair.
We have extensive experience serving our Los Angeles community and nearby regions. In fact, Julian Construction has inspected over 30,000 structures in the area!
Julian Construction was formed in 1994 and our focus has always been on building foundations, doing foundation repair and replacement, earthquake retrofitting, and house leveling.
When you work with Julian Construction, you get the principles of the company and the workers of Julian Construction under your home.
And in order to keep foundation repair affordable for our customers, we offer a price guarantee — because we know our quote for repair will represent your very best value.
Give us a call at (323) 733-3377 to schedule your free inspection or complete the inspection request form.
