Basement Wall Repair in Baltimore and Surrounding Areas
A damp basement in a Baltimore house is unrealized living or storage space. Adequately insulated and waterproof, homeowners can use the space for practically anything. The owner can use it for household storage, create a guest suite, or turn it into an additional family room.
However, in addition to waterproofing and insulating the space, the basement also needs strong, straight walls. They enhance the area’s structural integrity and support the rooms above.
Concrete basement walls are incredibly beneficial as support for the house above. The material can endure tremendous soil pressure and humidity, making it perfect for this application.
Why basement walls crack
Despite being one of the sturdiest construction materials, concrete has its weaknesses. A home built in a humid location may be exposed to moisture, whether from rain or snow. Melting snow and rain saturate the ground, causing it to expand and contract. Soil moves horizontally and vertically, meaning the foundation isn’t the only part of the house in its path. Basement walls, which are underground constructs, are also an obstacle. Over time, the walls can no longer withstand the tremendous pressure of the shifting soil, and cracks are the results.
Tree roots can be just as harmful as soil shifts. For trees to flourish and grow, the roots seek needed moisture from various sources. As they dig deeper through the soil, the roots may reach nearby houses. Even the strongest basement wall will succumb to the pressure from tree roots and crack.
It’s also worth noting that other changes in the surrounding soil can trigger basement wall cracks. Septic system installation is a prime example. It requires professionals to excavate a part of the backyard, which could be neighboring basement walls. The digging may cause the land to settle, leaving walls with insufficient support, and they crack as a result.
Types of Basement Wall Cracks
Checking for cracks is the easiest way to tell there’s something wrong with a basement wall. After discovering a gap, it’s essential to determine its type, as it can reveal the cause of the crack. Here are some of the most common basement wall cracks:
Vertical cracks:
A vertical basement wall crack often points to a settling foundation. The ground surrounding the walls has shifted and dragged at the wall. Vertical cracks are a major red flag for homeowners, who should promptly contact a trusted basement wall expert.
Horizontal cracks:
Foundation and wall problems go hand in hand, and horizontal cracks prove their relationship. When basement walls crack horizontally, it often indicates the soil under the foundation has voids. Alternatively, the foundation might be water-damaged.
Stair-step cracks:
Glen Burnie residents shouldn’t have difficulty recognizing stair-step basement wall cracks. They usually have a crack line that resembles a staircase. Like vertical gaps, they generally indicate the foundation has settled.
Bulging walls:
Bulging isn’t technically a crack, but bulging walls may also be cracked. It generally indicates the wall has suffered extensive water damage from a flood or burst pipe.
Door cracks:
Many of the same problems that affect basement walls can affect a basement door. For instance, soil shifts may cause the door to crack. Likewise, they can create gaps between the door and frame.
Identifying different basement wall cracks isn’t complicated, but determining the cause requires a professional eye, and repair requires training. Accurate Builders of the Chesapeake is the right team for the job. Contact us, and we’ll figure out why the walls have cracked and devise a plan to correct the problem.
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Dangers of Basement Wall Cracks
Upon finding a basement wall crack, some homeowners may think it isn’t something to worry about because it’s in the basement. However, the reality is entirely the opposite. Since the basement serves as the foundation of the home, the slightest crack can bring about widespread damage:
Waterlogged walls:
The foundation is designed to keep moisture out of the basement and away from the rest of the house. But it can’t do so if the walls are damp, which is what happens when there are cracks. They allow large amounts of moisture to seep into the area and weaken various structural elements.
Mold:
If a family member begins coughing or sneezing with no known illness, they might be allergic to mold. In many cases, the mold is coming from the basement. As more and more water enters through wall cracks, it provides ideal conditions for mold to thrive.
Critter infestation:
The soil around the basement walls is dark and damp, providing insects and vermin ideal living quarters. In normal circumstances, walls keep them out, but cracks present an opening. Ants, termites, worms, and centipedes are just some creatures that can inhabit the basement using the gaps.
Cracks in other rooms:
Cracks weaken basement walls, hindering their ability to support the rooms above. Consequently, walls in these areas may develop gaps, too.
Accurate Builders of the Chesapeake - Basement Wall Repair Experts in Baltimore.
The longer a basement wall crack remains unaddressed, the greater the risk to the whole house. Baltimore locals needing a reliable, professional service provider to repair their homes’ foundations can contact Accurate Builders of the Chesapeake. We provide high-quality basement wall repairs to protect homes for future generations.