Why Do Foundation and Basement Cracks Happen?

Foundation and basement cracks can occur for a variety of reasons. If you’re experiencing foundation and basement cracks, you might wonder why you’re having these problems. Here are a few of the reasons you might see foundation and basement cracks. 

• Concrete Drying and Property Settling 

Probably the least damaging reason that you might see cracks is just due to concrete drying. If you notice hairline cracks appear within the first year of a new concrete pour, you probably don’t have anything to worry about. As the concrete dries, it may form very tiny cracks along the surface of the concrete pour – this is perfectly normal and generally harmless. 

It is also normal for new properties to ‘settle’ after construction. Settling, not to be confused with settlement, is also a perfectly normal and usually harmless process that may cause small cracks to appear. These cracks should be stable, however, meaning that they will not grow once the house has finished settling. If these cracks start to grow after a while, you should contact a professional to be on the safe side. 

• Foundation Damage 

Foundation settlement is one of the more damaging reasons you might see cracks, and it’s typically what’s happening if you’re seeing very serious foundation and basement cracks. Foundation settlement occurs when there’s not enough support underneath the foundation for some reason, and it can lead to a variety of fissures. 

Likewise, foundation subsidence can lead to serious cracks opening up in your property’s floors and walls. Unlike settlement, which generally occurs with the soil under a home becoming too dry, subsidence is a process of uniform, if uneven, sinking. This process puts a strain on a property and causes cracks to form, walls to bow, and even gaps to open between the floor and walls.