Wall Cracks Explained

When a home has foundation issues, the warning signs can be seen in different ways. One of the most obvious things a homeowner will notice are cracks in their walls- downstairs, upstairs, or outside. We want you to not only be able to identify the cracks in your home but also know what is causing them and how to fix them- those are going to be covered in a different blog though. 

The first crack that would be the most obvious to the homeowner would be cracks starting at the corners of doors or windows. These are the most obvious just due to them being in the drywall upstairs where most time is spent. These cracks are generally small, hairline cracks that could be covered by filler, paint, or even decorations. 

The second crack you may find in your home are vertical cracks which could be normal or a sign of concern. These would be found in your basement, usually in poured concrete foundation walls.  

Horizontal cracks are definitely a cause for concern. These types of cracks can be found inside the basement or on the exterior of your home and usually in poured concrete walls or brick/block walls.  

Lastly are stairstep cracks which are found in brick/block foundation walls. They can be seen outside the home or in the basement. Out of all the cracks that you might find in your foundation, these are the easiest to spot since they do not blend in as easily.  

Horizontal and stairstep cracks can lead to a bowing wall if the water or soil pushes in on the foundation. The weight could hit at the right “pressure points” of the wall where it was weakened due to the crack and push inwards. This is a whole other story than wall cracks but much worse and would need immediate attention.