Imagine this – you’ve had a long day and you’re planning a motionless night on the sofa, but then, in one fateful moment, you look up and spot one of the worst issues any homeowner can face – you see the telltale beginnings of a crack.
Instantly, your mind flies into overdrive. Is the crack new, or has it always been there? If the latter, has it grown? And, of course, the primary question – does this mean my house is falling down?
We get it – cracks in your home are worrying, but trust us when we say that no good can come from panicking. In reality, not all home-based cracks are signs of foundational issues, and even if they are, staying calm and calling in the professionals means that this needn’t be a big deal. Before you do that, though, you’ll want to determine whether or not that crack is anything to worry about. And, we’ve got some top considerations to help you decide.
1 – How Wide is the Crack?
You probably won’t welcome any cracks in your walls, but there’s a big difference between a hairline fraction and a serious sign of breakage. Thin hairline cracks that are less than 1 millimeter are typically nothing to worry about as long as they don’t grow, and can be caused by everything from property settling to humidity.
By comparison, thick cracks that are wider than 5 millimeters tend to be a more serious problem and may require you to look into repairing your home’s foundation. That’s because cracks of this size are often caused by more serious issues, like a lack of foundational support, or notable foundation movement.
2 – What Direction Does the Crack Run In?
The direction of the crack also makes a difference as to whether you need to start stressing or not. Generally speaking, vertical cracks that travel straight down your wall tend to be a sign of general settling.
By comparison, horizontal cracks are more likely to suggest foundational issues, while diagonal cracks can signify other issues, such as poor soil compaction or inadequate drainage. With both horizontal and diagonal cracks, it’s typically worth seeking a professional opinion regardless of size, just to be on the safe side!
3 – How Many Cracks Are There?
There’s a difference between a solo crack and a social gathering of foundational issues, so it’s also worth considering how many cracks appear in one place. Let’s say there’s just one vertical crack on your wall – you’re probably fine to simply keep an eye on it. But, if that crack brings company on board, the situation changes somewhat.
This is because a cluster of even hairline vertical cracks generally signifies something more serious than your property settling. What’s more, it shows that a problem’s probably escalating pretty fast, meaning you’ll want to call in the pros pronto!
Are wall cracks keeping you up at night? Decide whether the lost sleep is justified with this handy guide.
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