While performing foundation inspections in the Southern California area for more than 20 years, we’ve picked up on a common concern many homeowners have—if cracks on the exterior of their homes or on their garage floors as pictured above, are serious enough to warrant repair and if those cracks have any negative impact on their home’s structural integrity.
When it comes to assessing whether a crack requires repair, there are several key indicators to keep an eye out for. It’s also essential to recognize that cracks in your foundation have the potential to compromise the durability and strength of your home’s structure. If you are unsure whether the cracks are serious enough for foundation repair or if they pose any major issues to your home’s structure, please reach out to us to schedule an inspection. If you’re in a serviceable area, we’ll gladly come take a look.
Cracks on Your Home's Exterior
If you see a crack or a few cracks in the concrete of your home’s exterior such as in a driveway or walkway, there may or may not be cause for concern. Depending on the location of the cracks, their width, and if the cracks are retaining moisture, will help determine what kind of repair, if any, is needed. Sometimes, a mature tree’s roots can cause concrete to crack in areas around your house.
Apart from hairline cracks, larger cracks naturally occur when a house settles or the ground beneath it shifts. These types of cracks allow for a potential opening for groundwater. Water is the biggest culprit in failing foundations. Read why in this article.
Take note of the size, direction, and behavior of the cracks. Pay attention to the following indicators as they can point to foundation issues:
- You see cracks in your concrete that are 1/4″ or wider
- The concrete cracks are damp, or wet in dry weather
- Dirt and other debris are being retained by your concrete cracks
- Concrete cracks are progressively widening or getting longer
WHAT TO DO ABOUT CRACKS ON THE OUTSIDE OF YOUR HOME
Minor cracks in your concrete can easily be repaired by using a concrete filler and sealer, but before you repair any cracks yourself, please reach out to a professional to have them take a look and determine if your concrete cracks are of a more serious matter, as some cracks could be a sign of a drainage, foundation, or structural issue. We perform free foundation inspections on owner-occupied homes in Southern California.
Cracks in Your Concrete Floor, Slab, or Foundation
When evaluating concrete cracks for severity, the best thing to do is find out if there are any structural or foundation issues with your home. As foundation repair experts, we have ways to determine if a home’s foundation needs to be replaced or repaired and strengthened due to cracks and other factors we discover during our inspections.
When isolated, each indicator listed below may not seem like a big deal, but generally do require some form of repair, and in some cases, warrant foundation replacement.
- Cracks on a concrete floor, slab or a garage floor that are wide enough to present a tripping hazard are considered serious and require repair. Head over to this page to learn more about concrete slab foundation repair.
- Concrete cracks in foundation walls or slabs that allow the seepage of moisture will generally need repair.
- Cracks on the upper corner of a foundation wall or long diagonal cracks on basement walls may indicate over-stressing and will likely need repair.
If you find yourself unsure about the seriousness of the cracks you find or their potential impact on your home, don’t hesitate to reach out to us and schedule an inspection. If you are within our serviceable area, we’ll be more than happy to assess the situation and provide expert guidance to ensure your home remains safe and structurally sound for years to come. Your peace of mind is our priority!
