Settlement Cracks In Concrete Walls

Settlement cracks in outer cavity wall of property.

Settlement cracks in concrete walls.

Concrete walls containing horizontal cracks are serious issues. Cracks in external and internal walls of load bearing structures. Cracks generally occur at weak sections i e at midpoints or at regular intervals in long stretches. Stair step cracks may also signify heaving.

There s no exact method for determining how serious a wall crack is without hiring an expert to examine the wall but you might be able to. Vertical cracks in walls built with concrete blocks or sand lime bricks. In the majority of cases small hairline cracks in walls ceilings and plaster can be a sign of simple expansion and contraction movement within your home due to humidity temperature and the way that 100 different materials in your home react to this all expanding and. If a vertical crack widens at the top or bottom the wall is either settling or gradually heaving which may present serious issues.

There can be a huge number of different reasons for cracks in the home. How to determine if the cracks in walls are serious. Settlement cracks are usually more extensive at the top of the crack than the bottom as the foundation bends over a single point allowing differential settlement. Settlement cracks compared with shrinkage cracks in poured concrete slabs this article series describes how to recognize and diagnose various types of foundation failure or damage such as foundation cracks masonry foundation crack patterns and moving leaning bulging or bowing building foundation walls.