Did you know that even the ancient Romans used concrete in their construction? They valued it for its strength and for its ability to be molded into different forms. They formed concrete from volcanic ash and lime, which were a bit different from the materials used today, but the substance was very similar and used for similar purposes. Today, concrete contractors carry on the ancient Roman tradition, making everything from patios to counter tops from concrete. These creations last for years and require little maintenance. We think concrete is amazing, and we hope you'll share that opinion after reading the articles provided here.
Edwin Robertson
Concrete cracks in the foundation are quite common. There are a lot of things that cause them. While these cracks may not always need to be repaired, they should be checked out to ensure they don't mean big trouble on the horizon. If cracks are deemed to not be problematic at this point, you should continue to monitor them. This can be done by measuring them and checking periodically to make sure they haven't continued to get larger. You can learn about some of the reasons why foundation can crack in this article and learn about some of the signs of foundation problems that should be taken as a red flag, letting you know you want to get someone out to check your foundation.
Things that lead to damage in the foundation
Concrete which is used as the foundation does not have the designing of being something that is known for expanding. Therefore, when it is put in the position where it would need to expand or be flexible, it can crack instead. Here are some of the things that can lead to this cracking:
Drought conditions – If you live in a region that has suffered a drought, then you want to pay closer attention to your foundation. As the soil under the foundation continues to shrink and create a gap from a lack of moisture, the foundation can begin to move due to that gap, and this is when cracks can happen.
Excessive moisture issues – Excessive moisture can also cause the foundation to crack. When the soil gets too wet, it will swell, and this can also lead to the foundation being forced to move and cracks can occur. Good drainage around your home can help to prevent this, to a point. However, if you are in an area where there has been a tremendous amount of rain or you had a bad plumbing leak, then this issue may happen regardless of your drainage system.
Things that can let you know you likely have foundation cracks
Sometimes you can see the crack in the foundation from the outside of your house. You may not have any other signs, but there will be a crack that's visible to you.
If you start to notice that some of your furniture is starting to slant, this is caused by an area of sinkage.
If you suddenly notice a crack on the wall, then this means the foundation has issues and it is causing part of the home to shift as well, and this is why there will be a crack.
Contact a contractor who performs foundation crack repair in your area to learn more.