Cracked Walls and Your Foundation
Interior and Exterior Warning Signs of Foundation Issues
If you’re a homeowner, then over time, your Austin home may experience problems such as settling, uneven floors, and cracked walls, which can cause problems down the road if not addressed right away. But, can the walls of your house collapse?
Well…yes and no.
Foundation issues can be caused by numerous problems, such as shifting ground, gradual settling, uneven floors, cracked walls, ill-fitting doors and windows, mold, and water damage. Over time, if not remedied, these issues can create major problems.
As these potential issues can add stress to your home foundation, there is a possibility that parts of your house could experience structural damage. This can range to broken pipes underneath your foundation and in your walls, which can also bring on major electrical problems.
Here are a few warning signs:
- You notice cracked walls on your home’s exterior
- Your windows and doors start to stick or are had to open and close
- Cracks appear in the drywall by door and window frames
- The appearance of bowing, bending, and lengthy cracks in your basement, crawl space, or attic (if you have one)
Dealing with Cracked Walls in Your Home
The exterior of your home may be comprised of a variety of materials that are prone to cracking based on climate or how the material is assembled.
Stucco Cracks
Stucco is often considered a type of plaster, however, it’s usually comprised of cement, sand, and water (some variations use lime instead of concrete). It is fairly common in central Texas, as we tend to have a drier climate, compared to parts of the country where it’s more hot, humid, and damp. Overall, Stucco is fairly weather resistant and can handle heat, rain, and even snow, if it’s properly installed on your home exterior. Some homes use wire mesh to help reinforce the stucco, which can help to prevent cracks over time.
Often, cracks in stucco can be easily repaired, and it often doesn’t mean that your house is about to fall down, or that there are foundation problems. This is often due to settling and not a full foundation issue. However, cracks in stucco should be repaired once you notice them, as moisture can enter the cracks and cause problems within your home’s walls. If the Stucco is properly applied to your house, then you shouldn’t experience this, but it can happen in some cases. And if it does happen, stucco cracks can be repaired with weather-resistant caulk.
Damage to Your Siding
While cracks in stucco or brick faces can happen, if not fixed right away, these cracks can exacerbate the situation. Siding can deteriorate over time if not taken care of. Mold, discoloration, and rot are often the main culprits leading to an underlying cause of foundation issues. Your gutters, if they come in contact with the siding, can also cause problems as any water runoff can seep into the siding and get into the interior of your walls.
If you have vinyl, aluminum or wood siding on your house, the siding will most likely be removed to allow for any cracks to be replaced, and then reattached afterward. In the case of wood siding, there may be rot brought on by excess moisture. The original wood may also be infested with pests, so that particular section of the wood siding may have to replace with new wood.
Other cracks, such as in brick or stone walls, in your driveway, and expanding cracks within your house, can help explain how your home is settling and how any foundation repairs should be undertaken. This is more common in older homes, as there may be a lack of maintenance over time, yet it can happen in a newly constructed home as well if the construction is poorly built and uses lower-quality materials.
Can a House Collapse from Foundation issues?
The real issue here is whether or not the walls, or even your entire house, can collapse due to foundation issues. The idea of it is terrifying, and as these problems happen over time, the more that these issues remain ignored, there is a chance that a wall might collapse over time.
Drywall can crack, and pieces of it can slowly fall off if any structural problems persist. Even prior to something like this happening, you may experience problems with moisture or even a pest infestation. If you have the quality of your foundation assessed, and it was constructed properly, then they’re is less chance that your home will collapse.
Take into consideration the soil surrounding your house, the quality of drainage, badly compacted soil, and any hidden leaks. If you have a home with a pier and beam foundation, you can access your crawl space and search for anything unusual that may be causing the problem. If you have a slab foundation, you need to reach out to a foundation repair specialist who can investigate and help pinpoint where exactly in your foundation the problem exists.
Contact Us
No one wants to have the walls in their house collapsed, so it’s better to be proactive in solving the issue before it’s far too late.
If you feel that your home foundation is in danger from soil issues, cracking, tree roots, or if you notice cracks in your interior or exterior walls, contact Done Right Foundation Repair. Our experienced team will thoroughly evaluate your foundation and suggest the best route to safely fix the problem.
About Done Right Foundation Repair
Locally Owned, Texas Proud
Done Right Foundation Repair was created over 20 years ago by Chris Felsing with the support of his family. He started with a small team and a big dream, learning the ins and outs of foundation repair as he went. He and his team looked for ways to provide a complete solution to all foundation issues and have worked tirelessly for the past 20 years to master their craft. Our Central Texas locations: Done Right Foundation Repair in Austin, Done Right Foundation Repair in New Braunfels, Done Right Foundation Repair in San Marcos
