Could Cracks on Your Wall Be Signs of a Much Bigger Issue?

Many homeowners are understandably concerned when they notice a sizeable, new crack inside a load-bearing wall. If this crack spreads as the days go by, they may want to get more information and figure out what they need to do next, if anything. What can cause cracks like this, and what are the potential remedies?

Pinpoint the Issue

In many cases, these new cracks are the result of a settlement. A certain amount of settlement is expected in almost every structure, but much will depend on the nature and extenuating circumstances.

Expected Settlement

How old is the property? If it is still relatively new, this may be due to the weight of the structure bearing down on the underlying soil. If the home was built in accordance with stringent standards, you shouldn't have too much to worry about, but you should be talking with your builder for further advice.

Ideally, those builders and engineers will have carried out certain tests using a device such as a dynamic cone penetrometer. This determines if the underlying soil is capable of bearing a given weight or if the soil must be compacted or modified before the building can go ahead. Where the damage is simply the result of some expected settlement, your builder may simply fix the local issue.

Reactive Soil

However, settlement can sometimes be caused by other factors. If the property is built on reactive clay soil, that soil may have shifted due to the local conditions. After all, that type of soil is very reactive to moisture level changes, especially during long periods of drought.

Tree Trouble

Alternatively, the issue may have been caused by large trees or a substantial amount of vegetation. If they are too near to your home, they may seek out moisture in drier periods and suck it out of the soil, causing it to shrink. This can lead to damaged footings around your home.

Potential Engineering Fixes

You may need to bring in a structural engineer to get to the bottom of the problem. They'll certainly want to find out what's causing the issue, and you may need to relocate some of those trees or vegetation if they are to blame. Otherwise, you may need to modify the soil below the property by injecting some resin at certain points, improving the drainage or adding new pins.

What to Do Next

To start the ball rolling, talk with a structural engineer and builder so you can identify the cause of those cracks and draw up a plan.