If you’re going to keep water out of your basement, and if you’re going to keep your foundation fully intact, it’s recommended that you repair any cracks in your foundation as soon as you notice them. After all, foundations are prone to cracking over time.
There are several reasons why foundation cracks might form. But regardless of how they form, they can have a serious negative impact on the foundation and the home at large.
Are you wondering whether your foundation has cracks that need to be repaired? If so, you’ve come to the right place. This foundation crack repair company in Lincolnshire, Illinois is going to review the most common signs below.
Signs You Need Foundation Crack Repair
Not all foundation cracks are a cause for serious concern. Some cracks can remain with little negative consequence. Other cracks, on the other hand, can result in flooding, foundational deterioration, mold growth, and more.
The question is: how can you tell when it’s time to contact a foundation crack repair company in Lincolnshire, Illinois? There are a few signs to look out for, which include the following:
Horizontal Cracks
Horizontal cracks are always more worrisome than vertical cracks. They often indicate that the foundation is shifting. If not repaired, they can cause a foundation to eventually cave in on itself.
If you see a foundation crack that is parallel to the ground, you should contact a foundation crack repair company in Lincolnshire, Illinois for an assessment.
Cracks Over Three Inches in Length
Short cracks generally aren’t going to do any major damage to a foundation. The longer a crack is, the more trouble it’s going to cause over time. That is why, if you see a crack that are three inches or longer, you should have it repaired.
Cracks Over a Quarter Inch in Width
Another indication that you need foundation crack repair is that your foundation contains cracks over a quarter inch in width. Cracks tend to widen as they age. The more separation they cause, the more harmful they stand to be. Therefore, once they reach this width, they need to be dealt with.
Cracks That Touch Windows or Doors
You should also be cognizant of cracks that touch windows or doors. In many cases, these cracks indicate a major shifting of the foundation. If you notice door or window-adjacent cracks in your basement wall, it’s time to call your foundation crack repair company in Lincolnshire, Illinois.
How to Reduce the Risk of Foundation Cracks
There are several things you can do to reduce the risk of foundation cracks forming. Ultimately, the trick is to reduce hydrostatic pressure around the foundation. This can be done in the following ways:
Install a Sump Pump
Sump pumps reduce groundwater levels around a home’s foundation. In doing so, they reduce hydrostatic pressure and therefore reduce the risk of foundation cracks as well.
Want fewer foundation cracks? A sump pump would be a huge help.
Install Drain Tiles
Drain tiles are pipes that are buried underground. They work by redirecting groundwater so that it doesn’t accumulate in one area. By installing drain tiles next to your foundation, you can drastically reduce hydrostatic pressure around it. This will result in fewer cracks forming overall.
Grade Your Yard
In some cases, homes are built at the bottoms of slopes. These slopes cause groundwater to slide down against the homes’ foundations. This results in increased hydrostatic pressure and increased foundational cracking.
Fortunately, you can grade such a yard. This entails moving soil around to lessen the degree of said slopes and thereby lessen the amount of hydrostatic pressure that a foundation has.
Looking for a Foundation Crack Repair Company in Lincolnshire, Illinois?
Are you dealing with cracks in your foundation? Ready to have them repaired? If so, ULB-DRY Waterproofing is the company to call.
As the top-rated foundation crack repair company in Lincolnshire, Illinois, we have repaired countless foundation cracks for property owners throughout the area. Regardless of the extent of the cracks in your foundation, we have you covered.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment.