When to worry about cracks in basement floor? (2024)

When to worry about cracks in basem*nt floor?

You should be concerned about foundation cracks if the cracks in your basem*nt floor are wider than 1/8 inch, spread to and up the foundation walls, appear in a circular pattern, are wet or show signs of water intrusion, have mold around them, have a white flaky substance around them, or if one side of the crack rises ...

When should I be concerned about basem*nt floor cracks?

You should be concerned about foundation cracks if the cracks in your basem*nt floor are wider than 1/8 inch, spread to and up the foundation walls, appear in a circular pattern, are wet or show signs of water intrusion, have mold around them, have a white flaky substance around them, or if one side of the crack rises ...

Is it normal to have cracks in a basem*nt floor?

These cracks are normal and found in almost every basem*nt. Many times, builders will “pre-crack” them. If you see your basem*nt floor is split into large squares, this is for you. These cracks do not need to be repaired, unless you have radon Issues.

How do you know if concrete crack is serious?

Cracks of greater width than 0.3 mm may present structural durability issues. If a crack on a concrete floor or slab widens sufficient to present a tripping hazard, it is considered serious and requiring repair.

What basem*nt cracks are bad?

Vertical cracks are often the result of foundation settling and are usually the easier to repair. However, vertical cracks should not be dismissed and it's recommended to schedule an inspection to evaluate the problem. Horizontal cracks usually indicate more severe issues with a foundation's integrity.

How can you tell if a crack is structural?

On the other hand, cracks that are wider than 1/8” inch or 3mm are considered structural cracks. Such cracks can show up at various points in the home's foundation. They mostly manifest as horizontal cracks, diagonal cracks, and stair-step cracks. Often they have a near symmetrical pattern.

Can water seep through cracks in basem*nt floor?

Water from rain and melting snow and ice filtering down through the soil can leak in through even the smallest cracks or pinholes in the foundation waterproofing material.

Should I seal small cracks in basem*nt floor?

You may think smaller cracks in your basem*nt floor will be easy fixes, but that's not always the case. Small cracks can get larger over time if not treated. As a rule of thumb, anything larger than ⅛” should be sealed, and anything larger than ½” should be leveled.

Can water come up through cracks in basem*nt floor?

Water in your basem*nt can come from a lot of places – through the cove joint, over the top of the foundation, through cracks in the wall – but one of the most confusing sources for homeowners is through cracks in the basem*nt floor.

What do structural damage cracks look like?

Structural foundation cracks are generally larger than 3mm and come in different shapes and sizes. One end of the crack may be wider than the other. The concrete on either side of the crack may be flush, or it could be uneven. A typical structural crack pattern is a stair-step crack in brick or cinder block walls.

How do you identify structural and non-structural cracks?

Generally, structural cracks are wider than three millimeters in width, but you should always get an expert to diagnose the situation. Structural cracks should be addressed immediately, while non-structural cracks should be monitored and repaired, so they don't get worse.

What is the difference between structural cracks and non-structural cracks?

Structural cracks could be vertical, horizontal, diagonal, and may also resemble a staircase. The cracks may appear in beams, foundation walls, or foundation slabs. Usually, structural cracks extend to the upper floors of a building and are wider than non-structural cracks.

What kind of cracks show foundation issues?

While hairline cracks may be OK, any gaps that are wider than a quarter of an inch are cause for concern. Furthermore, horizontal cracks are more worrisome than vertical ones. The reason horizontal cracks are more troublesome is that they indicate your foundation may be settling unevenly and at an alarming rate.

What size of foundation crack is a concern?

With foundation cracks wider than 1/8 inch, it's better to be safe rather than sorry. If the cracks are wide and there's a bump in the foundation wall, there could be hydrostatic pressure on the wall, which is definitely cause for concern.

What's worse vertical or horizontal cracks?

Horizontal Cracks

As we noted above, horizontal foundation cracks are structural in that they can affect your home's structural integrity. For this reason, they're considered more serious than vertical foundation cracks.

What do normal settling cracks look like?

Most of the time, normal foundation settling will present as thin cracks in the foundation and minor creaks in the floorboards. In contrast, you can identify foundation issues by wide or uneven foundation cracks, horizontal or step-shaped gaps on the foundation wall, or cracks that go around corners of your foundation.

How do you check internal cracks?

What is the difference between major cracks and minor cracks?

Major cracks are ones which can be the cause of structural weakness such as cracks due to over stress or due to rusting of reinforcement or due to ASR etc. Major cracks also tend to grow with time. Minor cracks are those which are are superficial in nature and do not penetrate deep into the structure.

Do I need to fix cracks in the concrete subfloor?

Cracks are present in every concrete slab, and they are unavoidable due to the rigid nature of concrete. Uneven drying, shrinkage and temperature changes can all cause fractures in your slab. To avoid water seepage and further damage, it's critical to seal any cracks that develop.

Do concrete cracks need to be filled?

Cracks in concrete may be a sign of deeper underlying problems, and if they're not addressed quickly, they can lead to bigger issues and costly repairs.

Should concrete cracks be filled?

Once a crack appears, the most important thing to do is seal it with a flexible material to prevent moisture intrusion which could further accelerate the instability causing the crack.

Are horizontal cracks in basem*nt bad?

Horizontal cracks in your basem*nt foundation are serious. This type of crack is often due to unbalanced soil and hydrostatic water pressuring pressing against your foundation wall. You may notice the foundation bowing inwards and water leaking into your basem*nt.

How do I stop water from coming up through my basem*nt floor cracks?

The only way to stop water from coming up through the basem*nt floor is by installing a drain tile system to collect rising moisture. Drain tile system – There are two types of drain tile systems: interior, and exterior.

Is it worth sealing a basem*nt floor?

Waterproofing a basem*nt can prevent structural damage, improve the air quality, lower utility bills and make a finished basem*nt a possibility.

Are basem*nt cracks common?

Foundation cracks are one of the most common foundation problems. Bad soil, or soil that is too wet around the foundation, can cause the foundation to crack and lead to other foundation problems such as: Settlement: Downward movement of the foundation.