3 Potential Causes of Basement Cracks in Your Home

If you’ve ever noticed a crack in the concrete of your basement, you think you have reason to panic. While cracks can become a serious concern, often they are a regular occurrence and can be treated with a few easy steps. Over time there are plenty of things within your home that will need maintenance and repair to continue functioning their best, and the concrete of your basement is no exception. When you notice cracks, it’s important to start by learning the cause, then making repairs to prevent the break from growing and becoming a genuine problem.

Soil Saturation

When your home was built, it was constructed on top of a series of footings that great the foundation. Over time, the soil surrounding them can become saturated causing these footings to expand and shift. When this happens, although it is natural, it can cause pressure to build up and create cracks. Soggy soil can push inward on your walls, and while they are built to withstand this, it can result in some issues. In most cases, the effects should be minimal, but if your home has poor drainage due to bad gutters, incorrect grading, or a lack of sump pump, you may need to make some changes.

Drought

Like over-saturation, drought can have its own severe effects on your basement walls. When too much moisture is removed from the soil, it can compact and cause the walls of your home to bow outwards. Like with saturation, this can cause severe pressure to be put on the footings and cause expansion and cracks. The causes for drought based cracks are a little different. They may be caused by dramatic changes in climate, and by plants with deep root systems that steal too much water from the soil around your home.

Installation Issues

Pouring and installing concrete can be more difficult than many believe. Even the best installation company can run into issues that can cause cracks long term. Outdoor temperatures, for instance, can cause stress, loss of strength and cracks if they are too extreme in either direction. Additionally, if the installation team has to stop halfway through a pour, it can cause a cold joint to form and allow water to seep in. While these issues are frustrating, they often can not be avoided even by talented teams. It’s best to work with a professional, highly rated service to ensure errors are at a minimum.

Contact All Aspects Waterproofing Today for Your Waterproofing Needs!

If you are ready to get a professional to waterproof your home’s basement, contact All Aspects Waterproofing, a Better Business Bureau A+ rated company with over 30 years of experience in the Washington, DC./Maryland/Virginia area. We have a great deal of experience in waterproofing, mold testing, and mold remediation, and we want to make you feel at home again. Contact us onlineor by calling 1-866-999-3110 or 301-766-4420.  To see what we’re up to, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, YouTube,LinkedIn, and Houzz.