Many scenarios come to mind when thinking about potential home safety issues: a dead tree limb that could fall in the yard, smoke detectors that might not work properly, a slippery walkway that could cause you to fall, or perhaps faulty wiring that could cause a fire. . What about a crack in your basement floor, a crack in a concrete driveway, or a crack in your sidewalk? Do they deserve concern? Believe it or not, cracks in concrete, even the smallest ones, can sometimes cause significant safety issues.
Cracks in concrete slab
It’s a fair assumption that a crack in a concrete slab will only get bigger rather than smaller. It is also possible that the cracks are accompanied by the displacement of the concrete slabs, the cause of the main safety problems. If ground movement or settlement causes one section of one slab to sink under another, it can also create an irregular ridge in the place of a smooth, flat surface. Such a ridge on a sidewalk or driveway is a hazard to bicycle and foot traffic. Sooner or later someone will stumble, trip and fall because of this unexpected obstacle. Do you want to know the real kicker? All of this can be prevented.
How water makes things worse
A cracked slab located in a basement or crawl space is much more worrisome. Such gaps are notorious for allowing water and radon gas to pass through, which means that a crack could be the likely cause or an additional problem.
Let’s say water gets in, now there’s a chance of mold growing, but it has to come into contact with organic material like wood, cardboard, paper, or cloth first.
Radon gas, on the other hand, is a known carcinogen. It is also the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Since radon gas comes from the ground, any crack in a foundation slab can provide a pathway for this radioactive gas to enter your home.
When the crack does not cause a security problem
Security is not an issue when a crack in the concrete is too narrow to admit a credit card and is not accompanied by any displacement. But, a sure sign of danger is when the concrete not only cracks, but also settles or shifts, causing surfaces to no longer line up. This means that the ground movement is affecting the stability of the slab.
the wrong solution
Although homeowners are often tempted to go for the quick fix (use patching mortar to fill the crack and bridge the slight elevation change), this “maintenance fix” won’t hold up for long. The soil is certain to settle and change more over time. When this ground movement occurs, the crack will reopen, the repair material will break down, and the homeowner will be faced with the same problem again.
the right solution
If you see cracks accompanied by displacement or if you suspect cracked masonry may be caused by soil settlement or ground pressure, the best strategy is to contact an experienced foundation repair contractor. An experienced full-service foundation repair contractor will have the skill and equipment to assess foundation cracks and displacement, as well as ground conditions that are causing foundation damage. The sooner foundation damage is repaired, the less extensive and expensive the repair job will be.