Foundation is everything for a home. While constructing a house, a large amount of time is spent on digging, filling, and building the foundation. A proper foundation can last decades with zero issues. However, there is a question that needs to be answered. What is a foundation?
Often times people think that the footing of the building is the foundation. That is not entirely true. Every concrete structure apart from the look and feel might be part of the foundation. A crack or chink in the walls or floor might be an indication that the foundation of the home needs to be inspected. In case, if there are any issues they must be addressed immediately.
Ignoring these wouldn’t cause any issues in the short term. However, in the long term, it might challenge the integrity of the entire structure. There are two types of cracks to be aware of and look for. They are,
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Structural Cracks
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Non-Structural Cracks
Structural Cracks - These types of cracks are identified to be more than at least 3 millimeters in length. They are caused by poor construction sites, poor soil bearing, swollen soil, etc. These cracks appear in slabs, foundation walls, and beams and can even extend to the upper floors of the building. They can be diagonal, horizontal, vertical, or run like a staircase.
Non-Structural Cracks - These cracks, on the other hand, are smaller. They are less than 3 millimeters in diameter. The cracks look very common to the eyes and they don’t threaten the integrity of your building. But, they can be found in your foundation. The cause of this can be temperature, moisture, creep damage, hydrostatic pressure, etc.
If you do seem to find such cracks in your home, fret not. Contact STL Polyjack today. We are one of the top-rated Foundation Repair Companies in St. Louis. Hurry up and extend the life of your home now! As we know, a home is more than a building. It’s a feeling.
