Everything You Need to Know About Wall Cracks
If you’ve noticed a wall crack in your foundation or on the exterior of your home, the first thing that you should know is that it is a symptom of a problem, not the only problem.
Wall cracks are always a worrying thing to see on the outside or inside of your home. If you’ve noticed a wall crack in your foundation or on the exterior of your home, the first thing that you should know is that it is a symptom of a problem, not the only problem. Just like mold or mildew, you need to solve the root of the moisture problem instead of just removing the mold. Here is everything that you need to know about wall cracks.
Where Are Wall Cracks Located?
Wall cracks are a way that structures can release pressure that has been built up (for a variety of reasons). They typically form along weaknesses and structural problems on buildings and often run from the corner of a window to the corner of a door. Wall cracks can also be found in still stones and intels.
Why Do Wall Cracks Happen?
Wall cracks can occur as a result of:
- Damage from lingering damp or moisture
- Rotted structural timber
- Clay soil shrinkage
- Unstable adjacent walls
- Tree roots growing underneath the property
- Temperature problems
- Winds
- Damaged masonry
- Groundwater table lowering
- Traffic vibrating the road underneath the property
The Size of the Wall Cracks
By measuring the wall cracks outside of your home, you can determine how severe the damage is. There are five different wall crack damage categories:
- Negligible: Wall cracks that are less than a millimeter wide are not of much concern, and they are not signs of a bigger problem.
- Slight: Wall cracks that are between 1-5 millimeters wide can often be totally repaired by filling them in and repainting or repointing them.
- Moderate: If a wall crack is from 5-15 millimeters wide, there is possible structural building work that needs be performed.
- Severe: Wall cracks that are up to 25 millimeters in size often indicate major structural problems, including potential replacement of the entire section where the crack is located. Severe cracks are often accompanied by additional small cracks.
- Very severe: Any wall crack larger than 25 millimeters wide is severe and almost always means total reconstruction or rebuilding of the area where they are located.
Waterproofing from All Aspects Waterproofing
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 online or 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.