FOUNDATION CRACKS IN YOUR HOME SHOULD NOT BE NEGLECTED

As spring approaches and the snow thaws, cracks in the foundation of your home are inevitable which can inevitably decrease your home’s value by 10-20%.
Basement cracks are not unusual, but if neglected can cause major problems and added expenses. The problem starts when those cracks in basement walls and floors allow water to seep through.
Among the many negatives that come with a cracked basement are additional moisture and the scourge that is mold, also increased heating expenses; inevitably it will all contribute to lowering the price of your home.
There are different types of cracks, namely settlement cracks, plastic-shrinkage cracks, cracks that appear before the concrete is hardened, cracks that appear after hardening.
And they can be triggered by multiple factors such as drying shrinkage, thermal contraction, sub grade settlement and applied loads.
Cracks cannot be prevented but can be significantly reduced when preventative measures are taken. Cracks that occur before hardening are usually the result of settlement within the concrete mass, or shrinking of the surface caused by loss of water while the concrete is still plastic.
Settlement cracks can develop over reinforcing steel, or adjacent to hardened concrete as the concrete settles or subsides. Cracking settlement results from insufficient consolidation, high slumps, over wet concrete or lack of adequate cover over embedded items.
Structural cracks in residential foundations are usually the result of settlement or horizontal loading. Most structural cracks result from applied loads and are usually horizontal (parallel to the floor).  Diagonal cracks that extend nearly the full height of the wall are often an indication of settlement. They start from the corner of the windows and other openings are usually the cause of stress build-up at the corner. Reinforcement at the corner of the openings can reduce the crack formation and will keep them narrow.
Freezing and thawing of the concrete are also responsible for foundation cracks in the home. They may not appear for years, but after a rough winter like the one we’re just emerging from, they seem to appear unexpectedly.
Once detected, the best solution is to call a crack specialist to diagnose the cause and repair the cracks before water begins to seep through the cracks causing further damage.
When crack walls and crack specialists repair foundations, they usually guarantee their work and this guarantee is transferable to the new owner of the property.
As the proverb says, A STITCH IN TIME SAVES NINE. Remember, when selling a home the owner is required by the Real Estate Board to disclose potential structural problems, including cracks in the foundation and wet basements.
I AM YOUR REALTOR AT (514) 947-8240.