If you’re still dreaming of those long warm summer days, then it’s time to wake up and look ahead towards the winter that’s fast approaching. Before long, we’re going to see our first snowfall of the season, and along with it, will come the infamous crack dilemma. All pathways, driveways, patios and stairs leading up to your home are susceptible to cracks, and winter is their worst enemy! Take a walk around the outside of your home, whether it’s just cosmetic, or you see a crack in near the foundation of your home, don’t overlook it unless you’ve really looked into it!
Cracks are the first thing you need to address before we face the first frost. You already know it… in the winter, water collects in these stray cracks and then freezes, making the crack bigger and bigger, causing greater damage after every freeze.
If you’ve taken a walk around the outside of your home, you must have already spotted a few cracks. Don’t hit the panic button right away. Every home is going to have cracks in its foundation. What’s important is figuring out when a crack is simply the house settling and when it’s an indication of something more serious. You need to first identify the direction and size of the crack in order to decide whether it’s something you can fix on your own or you’ll need to call in the experts.
First of all, pay attention to the crack’s direction. If your crack is horizontal, then you can take it easy. Usually horizontal cracks are the least troublesome. Vertical cracks or those in the shape of a staircase are more worrisome since they usually signal a more serious problem.
Remember, when it comes to cracks, size does count! The real test of any crack is its size and placement. Smooth, even hairline, cracks are usually not serious and a quick repair is all that is needed to prevent them from turning into something more serious. Any crack that is accompanied by a slant or bulge– is serious. The same goes for any crack that is large enough to put the tip of your pinky into or if it’s leaking water. These types of cracks need to be assessed by an expert before any repairs can be done.
If you’re looking at a horizontal crack, they are most common in concrete block and brick foundations, but they can also show up in poured concrete foundation. Usually they are the result of frost damage after freezing temperatures shrink the concrete, but they are also caused by extra pressure on the foundation from wet soil. If you notice a long, horizontal crack extending the full length of any outside wall, you should investigate it closely. A bulging crack can indicate a wall sliding off its footing or other stresses on a supporting wall.
If you had your home inspected before you bought it, the inspector would have immediately pointed out cracks that would lead to trouble. But from time to time, when you survey your own home, it’s important to call in an expert and check in to make sure a new or a growing crack isn’t something which will create more problems for you and for the house.
There are a number of home inspection experts in the “preferred professionals” page of my website. If you’re struggling with cracks around your home, give one of them a call and have them take a closer look. Make sure you mention that you know me, I’m sure you’ll be in excellent hands!
Bill
Cracks are the first thing you need to address before we face the first frost. You already know it… in the winter, water collects in these stray cracks and then freezes, making the crack bigger and bigger, causing greater damage after every freeze.
If you’ve taken a walk around the outside of your home, you must have already spotted a few cracks. Don’t hit the panic button right away. Every home is going to have cracks in its foundation. What’s important is figuring out when a crack is simply the house settling and when it’s an indication of something more serious. You need to first identify the direction and size of the crack in order to decide whether it’s something you can fix on your own or you’ll need to call in the experts.
First of all, pay attention to the crack’s direction. If your crack is horizontal, then you can take it easy. Usually horizontal cracks are the least troublesome. Vertical cracks or those in the shape of a staircase are more worrisome since they usually signal a more serious problem.
Remember, when it comes to cracks, size does count! The real test of any crack is its size and placement. Smooth, even hairline, cracks are usually not serious and a quick repair is all that is needed to prevent them from turning into something more serious. Any crack that is accompanied by a slant or bulge– is serious. The same goes for any crack that is large enough to put the tip of your pinky into or if it’s leaking water. These types of cracks need to be assessed by an expert before any repairs can be done.
If you’re looking at a horizontal crack, they are most common in concrete block and brick foundations, but they can also show up in poured concrete foundation. Usually they are the result of frost damage after freezing temperatures shrink the concrete, but they are also caused by extra pressure on the foundation from wet soil. If you notice a long, horizontal crack extending the full length of any outside wall, you should investigate it closely. A bulging crack can indicate a wall sliding off its footing or other stresses on a supporting wall.
If you had your home inspected before you bought it, the inspector would have immediately pointed out cracks that would lead to trouble. But from time to time, when you survey your own home, it’s important to call in an expert and check in to make sure a new or a growing crack isn’t something which will create more problems for you and for the house.
There are a number of home inspection experts in the “preferred professionals” page of my website. If you’re struggling with cracks around your home, give one of them a call and have them take a closer look. Make sure you mention that you know me, I’m sure you’ll be in excellent hands!
Bill