Oct 31, 2022 · If you’ve noticed vertical foundation cracks on your wall – don’t fret! We’ve got you covered. Here’s everything you need to know about cracks and how to fix them.

Mar 28, 2025 · Foundation cracks are fissures or breaks in a home’s foundation walls or concrete slab. They can range from minor hairline cracks to major structural issues compromising your home’s integrity. Not all cracks cause alarm, but it’s crucial to know how to identify potentially serious problems.

In some cases, vertical cracks have been linked to foundation issues. In this article, you’ll learn the leading causes of vertical wall cracks, how to tell the difference between a structural and non-structural crack, standard repair methods, and how to prevent wall cracks in the future. What Causes Vertical Wall Cracks?

Oct 8, 2024 · Vertical cracks run up and down the wall and are usually less severe than horizontal cracks. However, they can still indicate underlying issues that need addressing. Causes: These cracks often result from the home’s natural settling over time. Other causes may include concrete shrinkage or minor shifts in the foundation due to temperature changes.

Mar 27, 2023 · Vertical cracking that is wider down near the slab indicates that the wall has a sag between the corners. So the middle of the wall is sagging, sinking, or settling rather than the corners.

Vertical cracks in a foundation wall, wider at bottom than top - usually due to settlement under building, occasionally due to frost heave at a point. These cracks may be less serious than horizontal when found in a masonry block wall.

Aug 27, 2024 · Within a year after construction, hairline cracks (about the width of a sewing thread) commonly appear on the inside of basement walls, most often near windows and doors or in the corners of the...

Vertical cracks in a poured concrete foundation wall are almost always caused by shrinkage during the concrete curing process. Vertical wall cracks can also be caused by improperly taped drywall. This can occur when the person installing the drywall fails to use enough drywall mud.

Dec 11, 2023 · Vertical cracks run up and down and are typically caused by normal house settlement and compression and tension on the concrete. New homes can start seeing vertical cracks after just a couple of years. Horizontal cracks are more common in cement block and brick foundations and can point to a serious problem.

Apr 2, 2024 · Vertical cracks run in an up-and-down direction and are typically a manifestation of the foundation settling or undergoing shrinkage as it ages. These formations are rather common, particularly in newer constructions that are in the process of stabilizing.

Vertical foundation movement may be foundation settlement, frost heaves, movement caused by expansive clay soils, footing settlement, or severe damage from earthquakes or other more sudden forces.

Similarly to horizontal or stair-stepping cracks found in the home, the foundation repair industry encounters these cracks daily, and in this post, we’ll show three examples of vertical foundation cracks and what your best course of action is.

Not all wall cracks are a cause for concern, but certain patterns can signal deeper issues. A cracked wall with small, vertical cracks is often due to minor shifts in the foundation and may not require immediate attention.

Sep 5, 2023 · One of the most common reasons for vertical cracks in walls is the natural settling of a building’s foundation. As a house or structure settles into the ground, it can create stress on the walls, leading to vertical cracks. These cracks are typically uniform in width and appear near corners or around doors and windows.

Apr 29, 2024 · Vertical foundation wall cracks are a common issue that many homeowners encounter. These cracks can vary in severity, ranging from minor cosmetic issues to significant structural concerns.

Aug 23, 2023 · Vertical cracks are the most common type of foundation crack and wall cracks. They run straight up and down, usually occurring as a result of settling or natural foundation movement. While small vertical cracks are often benign, they can still be entry points for moisture and pests. 2. Horizontal Foundation Wall Cracks.

Mar 21, 2022 · Foundation cracks can be broken down into three categories: horizontal cracks, vertical cracks, and stair-step cracks. Below, we’ll break down different types of foundation cracks, providing pictures of normal foundation cracks and highlighting when they may indicate a …

Feb 10, 2017 · Vertical and diagonal cracks in your home’s foundation are most often a sign of foundation settlement and not necessarily structural damage. If the crack seems even when you run your finger across it, it probably isn’t a sign of a major problem.

Jan 27, 2025 · Vertical foundation cracks are the most common in monolithic foundations, running straight up and down the wall. They occur due to shrinkage or the natural curing process of concrete. A vertical crack in foundation, that shows no signs of moisture and cannot fit a coin does not usually cause concern.

Mar 18, 2024 · Vertical foundation cracks, though often less severe than their horizontal counterparts, can still be unsettling. In this post, we’ll dive into what these cracks mean, why they happen, and when it’s time to call in the experts from Discount Foundation Repair.

Settlement, as described in the Foundation Engineering Handbook, refers to the permanent downward shift of a foundation over time.House or foundation settling is a natural process as a home adjusts to its environment. Over time, the structure’s weight causes slight shifts in the foundation, which can lead to small, cosmetic cracks in walls, ceilings, and floors.

Mar 20, 2025 · 6. Large Cracks on Foundation Walls . Small hairline cracks in the foundation walls are relatively common and can typically be fixed by the average DIYer using epoxy or polyurethane to seal the cracks. However, if you notice that the cracks are horizontal, larger than a 1/4-inch-wide, or zigzag, this could indicate a serious issue with the ...

Mar 15, 2025 · Foundation cracks can appear in multiple places in your home, including along the foundation slabs, on walls, near windows and doorways, and more. But not all cracks mean the same thing.

Mar 14, 2025 · Jagged, stair-step cracks on brick walls or foundations; Long, continuous cracks that run vertically or diagonally; Doors and windows sticking or becoming misaligned; Potential Risks. If left untreated, structural cracks can worsen, leading to foundation failure, uneven flooring, or costly structural repairs.

Mar 18, 2025 · Recognizing the early warning signs of foundation problems can save you from facing more severe and costly repairs in the future. Some of the most common signs include: Cracks in Walls or Floors: While small, hairline cracks in concrete can be expected as a house settles, larger cracks, especially those wider than 1/4 inch, warrant a closer ...

There are two types of cracks that can appear on the walls of your building – these are classed as either vertical or stepped. Vertical Cracks. When there is a lack of support from the foundation below the building then this when vertical cracks can occur. The reason vertical cracks appear is that the earth underneath the building is not ...

Mar 13, 2025 · Temperature Fluctuations: Virginia’s winter freeze-thaw cycles cause foundation cracks and other problems, as water trapped in the soil expands when frozen and contracts when thawed.; Heavy Rainfall and Drought: Regions like Hampton Roads and Alexandria experience fluctuating moisture levels, causing the expansive soil to expand and contract, which impacts …

Foundation settling can trigger wall shifts, resulting in these telltale cracks. Moreover, temperature fluctuations can induce expansion and contraction, putting stress on the drywall. Battling Moisture Woes: Excess moisture poses a silent threat to drywall, weakening it …

The joint between the foundation beam and the wall, as well as the transverse crack at 100 mm from the top of the foundation beam, opened to 1 mm. After the peak load, existing cracks continued to propagate, and the concrete cover in the web began to bulge and spall, leading to a rapid decline in bearing capacity.

6 days ago · The Multibody System Transfer Matrix Method (MSTMM) is a novel dynamic analysis approach that has developed over the past thirty years. It has now become a systematic and efficient general-purpose method for multibody system dynamics [1, 2].The core idea behind this method is to determine the generalized accelerations of the mechanical system based on …