Poured Concrete Foundation Walls & Floor Slab
Concrete walls can display vertical, horizontal and diagonal cracks, depending on the causes.
Poured Concrete Foundation Walls & Floor Slab
Concrete walls can display vertical, horizontal and diagonal cracks, depending on the causes.
Avoid Diagonal Foundation Cracks
Foundations can display diagonal cracks due to excessive loading on the concrete or seasonal freezing and frost damage. The pouring and setting process is very important during the construction phase and if the pour was not done in ideal conditions, cracks can appear and spread over time. If the foundation is not poured properly and if you suspect this is an issue, speak to the experts at Stay Dry to diagnose the crack, cold joint or porous concrete.
Expert foundation technicians can diagnose cracks based on evidence and patterns.
Professional Tip: If you see diagonal cracks in the corners of your basement near doors or windows, it is possible that concrete shrinkage is to blame. These should be dealt with before they worsen.
Diagnosing your Cracked or Damaged Foundation
Since every situation is unique, a variety of factors must be considered when diagnosing your cracked or damaged foundation, including:
- Size of the crack
- Patterns (horizontal, vertical, diagonal)
- Possible foundation settlement
- Expansive soils, weather damage, frost damage
- Drainage issues
- Cracks near windows or doors
- Settling of the ground over time
- Seismic or construction activity in the area
- Insufficient backfill
- Garage entry points
- Pressure from a garage entryway
- State of the footings and foundation walls
- Any water entry or water damage signs
- Shrinkage cracks and hairline cracks
- Roof drainage setup and downspout pathways
- Grading of the property away from the foundation
