How Do You Fix A Crack In The Foundation Of A Basement?
According to Tim Carter at Ask the Builder, concrete shrinks 1/16 inch for every 10 linear feet. That shrinkage causes tension, and tension causes cracks. Carter used to guarantee in his contracts that concrete used on the job would crack someday. It got a few uncomfortable laughs from his clients, but they also appreciated the honesty. Cracks can be controlled, but almost never prevented 100 percent. Dealing with them once they happen, particularly in the foundation walls, is a necessity, but seeing them is not necessarily the end of the world. Consult a structural engineer for sudden and serious cracks in foundation walls. Sudden problems indicate a change in equilibrium that manifests as a crack. Often, drought conditions in your area will cause the soil around the foundation to shrink, and that puts added tension on the concrete. A structural engineer can help you understand why a foundation cracked, for a small consulting fee. Try injecting water into the soil around the foundatio
