byAlma Abell
Your home’s foundation does all the heavy work of keeping the structure above it safe and in good shape. It’s not unusual to see cracks in the foundation wall or slab, whether it’s along the outside walls, in the basement or in a crawl space. The trick is knowing which cracks are cosmetic and which are serious enough to cause structural problems if they aren’t repaired. Foundation Crack Repair in Cambridge, MA can be handled by companies such as Drycrete Waterproofing who are experienced in determining which cracks can simply be filled and which cracks will lead to costly problems if they are ignored.
Foundation walls and slabs start cracking for a variety of reasons. One of the most common reasons is a lack of stability in the soil on which your home is built. In prolonged dry or wet conditions, certain types of soil such as clay tend to noticeably expand or contract. This leads to movement and settlement in the foundation, causing cracks. A natural disaster lsuch as an earthquake is an obvious cause of cracks, but a hurricane or a heavy rainstorm like a nor’easter can also lead to serious cracks. Finally, the soil on which your home sits may not have been properly prepared before construction began. Likewise, the builder might not have used the proper foundation support system for the structure.
Foundation Crack Repair in Cambridge, MA can assess the cracks in your home’s foundation to determine the best way to make repairs. One obvious sign that a crack is due to structural problems is its location and appearance. Cracks that are small and shallow often occur as concrete cures. However, longer and deeper cracks that run at a 45-degree angle to the wall or slab signal more serious shifting problems. Sticking doors and windows can be another sign that the foundation has some serious problems. Horizontal cracks on exterior foundation walls indicate that water, often caused by poor drainage, is working to push the home off the foundation.
As a homeowner you can repair small cracks yourself, but when the foundation itself is in jeopardy, you need to call on the experts. Foundation Crack Repair in Cambridge, MA can be handled by experienced and professionally trained technicians certified in the type of repair work necessary to repair your foundation. Drycrete Waterproofing has developed a reputation of offering high quality work at competitive prices.