Cracks in wall can be more than just unsightly. They could spell danger for your home. Here's when to worry about cracks in your walls.
HOME & GARDEN

When to Worry About Cracks in Your Walls

You’ve got a problem. There are cracks in a wall. Now you’re left wondering if your home has structural issues or if you need to call a repair company.

It depends on the style and width of the cracks. Small hairline cracks are nothing to write home about. They happen when your home settles.

Sometimes, cracks form as the plaster dries. It’s when the cracks are wider in dimension that you have an issue. We can help you decide if it’s time for you to get a repair company on the phone.

It’s impossible to over-emphasize the importance of a foundation to a building’s structural integrity. If you’re not careful, even a minor issue can quickly develop into a big problem that can lead to a costly foundation repair. If you have noticed any sign of a foundation problem, contact a professional foundation repair company for inspection.

Keep reading to learn the ins and outs of wall cracks.

Wide Cracks

As long as the wall cracks are less than a millimeter thick, you don’t have anything to worry about. You can usually paint over them or caulk them up. It’s when they become 15 millimeters wide when you need to get this company on the phone.

Cracks that are that thick usually point to serious structural issues. You’ll need to get work done to get your foundation stable again.

Horizontal Cracks

The next thing to look at is the style of the cracks. A vertical crack in a basement wall tends to happen naturally as the wall expands and detracts. They may not be pretty to look at, but you’re not in any danger.

Horizontal cracks happen when your foundation shifts to an extreme. They can also point to water damage. If the cracks are on the thin side, you might be able to fix them up with a little putty and some paint.

Wide cracks, not so much. Those will take a skilled hand to repair.

Cracks Above Your Door Frame

Most of the time, cracks appear around the weakest parts of your home. If that weak spot is above the tops of your doors, that’s a problem.

It could mean you have some bad structural issues on your hands. This is especially true if the cracks above your doors are horizontal.

Stair-Step Cracks

Foundation problems can threaten the safety and integrity of your home. Over time, they may even escalate to become more complex issues. Concrete slabs become unlevel because concrete doesn’t last forever. At some point, it will start to deteriorate due to normal wear and tear, weather conditions, soil movement under the slab, soil erosion, invasive tree roots, or something else. If this is the case, concrete leveling is the solution for you. Contact a professional foundation repair company as soon as possible.

Stair-step cracks look pretty much as described. The cracks form steps along the side of your wall. They usually run both vertically and horizontally.

Most of the time, they occur in unfinished walls. Soil finds itself wedged in the center of them. You may have nothing to worry about, or you may need repairs done. The only way to know is to have someone take a look at it.

You Can See Light Coming Through the Cracks

When looking at a crack in your wall, ask yourself if you can see daylight coming through it. If the answer is yes, get someone on the phone ASAP.

It means that your entire wall has shifted somewhat. Your foundation could be in danger of falling apart around you.

When Should You Worry About Cracks in a Wall?

Small hairline foundation cracks are nothing to write home about. They’re a pretty common occurrence. What isn’t common is being able to see sunlight coming through the foundation.

That’s when you should worry about cracks in a wall. Keep your family safe by calling someone to take a look. It may be nothing serious or it could mean that your home is falling apart.

For more tips that will help you take care of your house, visit the Home & Garden section of our blog.

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