
Concrete spalling – Extreme and chronic moisture can result in water damage/spalling, which can make your foundation more susceptible to slab on grade cracks. These cracks tend to be small and hairline, often referred to as crazing. Poor initial mud mix – Incorrectly mixed mud/concrete can result in slab on grade cracks. As the roots develop and grow, they push against your slab, resulting in some gnarly concrete cracks. Root damage – Trees, bushes, and shrubbery can sink roots underneath your home’s foundation. This extreme pressure can crack up and through the slab on grade foundation. Foundation heave – The slab on grade foundation is pushed upward by expansive soil (such as loam and clays), driving an incredible amount of force upward.
Windows and doors that are difficult to open/close. The uneven support causes the slab to crack, further compromising the structural integrity of the home. Foundation settlement – The slab on grade foundation sinks and settles into incompetent, non-load-bearing soil (such as loam and clays), exerting stress onto the home’s foundation, framing, and throughout the interior of the home. Often a layer of flooring covers and camouflages the crack, flooring which needs to be removed to expose the fissure. It might feel like a concrete tumor has developed underneath your shag carpet, kitchen tile may chip and break, your linoleum flooring may lift upwards. When slab on grade foundations crack, they bulge or bow, resulting in an uneven walking space. Odds are, you’re more likely to trip over the crack than see it first. So, you might not know immediately that there is an issue. The majority of homes do not have an exposed slab throughout the entirety of the house (unless you’re going for a 70’s chic vibe). Slab cracks are the signs and symptoms, not the proverbial virus. So, let's dive in.Īs mentioned above, slab cracks are always indicative of a deeper problem. In this article, we will cover why slab cracks occur and how to address them.
Whether you choose to utilize Dalinghaus or another contractor – we’re here to educate you about slab crack repair.
After decades in the foundation repair business, we can assure you there is a solution. We’ve underpinned thousands of homes and fixed countless slab cracks. While slab cracks might seem like an enigma, Dalinghaus Construction Inc. And slab cracks can indicate compromised structural integrity. Slab cracks can result in significant bulges beneath your carpet, linoleum, or hardwood floors, creating trip hazards. The crack is not the problem it’s a symptom. Cracks are always indicative of a deeper issue. Slab on grade foundations crack and fissure due to a wide variety of causes: foundation settlement, foundation heave, root damage, poor mud mixture, and so on.