Your foundation or wall crack gets ignored all too often.
Your house is just settling, right? Sure, probably. But that tiny crack that you’re writing off could be a sign of something sinister lurking beneath.
Here’s the thing. Structural damage rarely comes out of nowhere. There are almost always signs and symptoms along the way. Take foundation issues for example. A slight crack may be one of the first signs of big trouble. Before you know it, what could have been a small repair turns into… Well, a giant mess.
What You’ll Learn
- Why Structural Integrity Matters
- Telltale Signs You Can’t Ignore
- Take Wall Cracks Seriously
- Long-Term Solutions to Maintain Structural Integrity
- When to Contact a Cracked Wall Repair Service
What Is Structural Integrity?
When people refer to a home’s structural integrity, they’re talking about its ability to hold itself together.
From foundation to roofline, your house relies on stable load-bearing walls, upright floor joists, and sturdy footings to stay strong. Structural integrity refers to that entire system working together – unable to be bent, cracked, or pushed out of place beyond safety limits.
Think of your home’s structural integrity as a chain…
If one weak link is placed on that chain, the entire thing is at risk.
Same with your home. If any part of the structural system starts failing, every other area will be put under additional pressure.
Common Warning Signs You Can’t Afford to Ignore
Don’t be fooled into thinking grave structural damage comes crashing through the roof out of nowhere. There are always signs along the way. One of the best things you can do for long-term maintenance of your home is learn these warning signs. That way, when they occur you’ll know a cracked wall repair service needs to be called.
Some things to look out for:
- Diagonal cracks above door frames and windows
- Horizontal cracks along basement or crawl space walls
- Doors and windows that stick or won’t close properly
- Sagging or uneven floors
- Gaps along the juncture of walls and ceilings or floors
According to the National Association of Homebuilders, 80% of all structural home insurance claims are due to foundation movement. That means the integrity of your foundation directly impacts your home as a whole.
Cracks In Your Walls Are More Serious Than You Think
Not all cracks should scare you.
If you can attribute the crack to normal seasonal expansion and contraction, it’s probably just cosmetic. A crack that’s widening, spreading across corners, or showing up between walls and ceilings is cause for concern.
Understanding the causes of wall cracking is the first step to knowing when you need to hire a cracked wall repair service ASAP versus just keeping an eye on it.
Wall cracks are usually just symptoms of a bigger problem lurking within your home’s infrastructure.
The underlying issue causing the crack is the real threat. Here are a few things that let you know a crack in your wall is serious:
- Width exceeds 3mm
- Increasing in length or width over time
- Runs diagonally from the corner of door/window frames
- Doors stick when you close them or floors appear sloped
- You can see water damage near the crack
The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported 11% of Australians living in their current household experienced a major structural problem. That means nearly 1 in 10 Australian households (over 2 million) is affected by serious structural issues.
Maintenance Plans and Strategies To Extend Structural Integrity
Maintaining your home’s structure long-term doesn’t have to be difficult. But it does require effort and attention. Three main areas require maintenance to protect the structural integrity of your home.
Drainage and Water
Water will ruin your foundation and frame quicker than anything else. If your soil doesn’t drain well, moisture becomes trapped near foundations and slowly starts to degrade your home’s structure.
You can avoid this issue by taking care of these areas:
- Keep your gutters clean and clear – downspouts should take water far away from the home
- Grade the ground around your home so it slopes away from the foundation
- Eliminate pooling water around your home’s perimeter
Vegetation
Vegetation doesn’t seem like it could cause structural issues, but it can.
Large trees planted next to your home will grow roots underneath the foundation in search of moisture. As the root grows, it can cause the ground to shift and lead to cracked slab issues or walls pulling away from frames.
As a rule of thumb, avoid planting large trees near your home. If you have large trees near your house, the tree should be at least as far away from your home as its height.
Structural Inspections
Roof inspections after storms are common. Your walls, subfloor and foundation don’t get the same consideration.
Getting a professional structural inspection every few years — or any time something seems off — is far cheaper than fixing the issue later on. Inspecting your home regularly allows you to spot any potential problems early.
Don’t Ignore the Small Problems
If you spot something out of place, have it looked at.
A tiny crack that gets ignored will never stay a tiny crack. It will get worse. Water gets in. Things get damaged behind the scenes every time it rains.
If you notice something that could be a structural integrity issue, have it professionally inspected. It may not be anything to worry about. But you’ll have peace of mind either way. And if there is a problem, catching it quickly can mean the difference between inexpensive repair and costly replacement.
When To Get a Cracked Wall Repair Service Involved
There’s no bright line moment when you need to call a professional cracked wall repair service. However, there are red flags that should always be acted upon.
- If you notice cracks are growing wider than 3mm, or you can see the cracks getting wider over time.
- If you start to see cracks on multiple walls inside your home.
- Cracks appear diagonally and originate from the corners of door/window frames.
- Walls start to separate from your ceilings or floors.
- Moisture is visible seeping through any cracks.
Repairing these cracks yourself is nearly always a waste of your time and money. The patch may look good as you apply it, but it will soon reappear as the underlying issue has not been addressed.
Remember: cracked wall repair services don’t just fix cosmetic issues. They identify the cause and protect your home from future damage.
Final Thoughts On Maintaining Your Home’s Structural Integrity
Home structural integrity should be something you think about regularly. Structural issues don’t come out of nowhere.
Unless you live in a California earthquake zone, signs will be present well before your house falls apart. Here are the biggest things to remember:
- Educate yourself on the warning signs
- Control water drainage around your home
- Keep vegetation in check near your home’s foundation
- Don’t ignore small problems
- Get professional inspections regularly
- Call a professional cracked wall repair service if you start to see serious symptoms
Your home’s structural integrity directly correlates to how much it’s worth, how safe it is to live in, and how expensive it costs to own over the long-term.
Once structural integrity starts failing, it becomes a much more expensive property to maintain. Be proactive. Catch issues before they start.
