The next time you're in your basement finishing up that load of laundry or feverishly searching for that flathead screwdriver, take a second to look around and inspect your basement walls. This time of year, you're likely to find a crack if you haven't already. If you notice that crack is leaking water during heavy rains, then you already have a problem and should contact us today for a free estimate.If you're noticing this for the first time, don't panic! Cracks in your foundation can be a common thing. Here are five reasons why they show up.Stress PointsYour home can put a lot of pressure on its foundation. Cracks are usually found angling off corners of basement windows. Soil SaturationMost of the Cincinnati area deals with a very saturated soil, meaning it's very wet. When the soil under the footings of your basement walls become oversaturated, they settle, causing cracks in the walls. Oversaturation can also cause the ground next to your foundation to expand, creating an extra pressure on your foundation, which most foundations aren't built to withstand. This extra pressure from the expanded soil can force the walls to push inward, causing diagonal cracks coming in the corners. This can be a simple DIY fix since the leading causes of oversaturation are improper grading, poor gutters, or a need for an underground sump pump and downspout extension.DroughtLess likely to happen in this area, not having enough moisture in the ground can also cause foundation problems. A drought can cause the soil to shrink and cause foundation walls to shift outward and footings to settle. This can also occur when trees, shrubs and other plants near the foundation send their roots deeper into the ground looking for moisture. Doing so allows it to draw from the soil in areas that typically remain untouched.Concrete ShrinkageThe pouring of concrete is actually quite a science project. As you know, water is used when mixing concrete so there is a natural expansion and contraction of the foundation concrete when it dries. Type of aggregate used, the mix of the concrete and even humidity levels can all have an effect on the drying process, possibly causing a shrinkage problem and damaging your foundation.TimingIt's not out of the realm of possibilities that the concrete of your foundation wasn't poured all at once for one reason or the other. If a second batch of the concrete was poured after a first batch started to harden, your foundation wouldn't be all one piece, and a cold joint would form, allowing water to seep through.Cracks are naturally going to happen in your foundation. It's important that you regularly scan your foundation inside and out to identify possible problem areas. The experts at Stealth Foundation are always here for you if you have questions, and always offer a free consultation.
