Have You Noticed Cracks In Your Bricks

Cracks in brick walls are not normal, nor should they be treated as such. Since these cracks aren’t a normal occurrence they tend to require more repair than some basic masonry work. For the most part, cracked brick walls can be attributed to failing building supports, or perhaps a sinking foundation. Regardless, these are no small issues and they should be handled by professionals instead of attempting a DIY project.

Types of Cracks and What They Mean

• Horizontal Brick Cracks

These types of cracks almost always indicate foundation failure. What this typically means is the soil under and around your house is pushing against your foundation and forcing the walls inward. This inward force is causing your walls to bow in towards your home, thus creating the horizontal crack. If you were to leave this problem alone, the crack will continue to grow, resulting in a bowed wall which is more likely to collapse. If a foundational wall collapses the rest of your house is likely coming with it.

• Vertical Brick Cracks

These cracks, much like horizontal cracks, are typically early indicators of foundational trouble. These types of cracks usually show that the ground your foundation currently sits on is shifting. This shift causes your home to settle abnormally, thus producing cracks in your brick foundation. This change in soil causes vertical cracks and other issues such as cracked drywall or sagging floors.

• Stair-Step Brick Cracks

This type of crack is significantly less worrisome than a horizontal crack, but can still pose a threat to your basement or home. Stair-step cracks are usually found on the exterior walls of a brick and mortar house, above the foundation. They signify movement in the foundation and require repairing by a foundation repair company such as . The stair-stepping crack is caused by separation in the brick by shifting foundations. For older homes with leaky basements, this type of foundational crack is often the reason. 

Tell Tale Signs of Foundational Problems

The majority of foundational are due to how soil properties change around and under your home.  Soil properties such as over saturation, excessive organic materials, or an excess of soil erosion, are all contributing factors to foundational problems in your home. 

Additionally, foundational issues may not be so easy to spot. Some warning signs to look for other than the types of cracks previously mentioned include:

Inside

• Cracks in drywall or ceilings
• Doors or windows not closing properly
• Cracks in concrete floors
• Sloping or sagging floors
• Leaning support beams under your house
• Water leaking into your basement
• Bowing walls
• Cracked brick walls

Outside

• Gaps by doors and windows
• Failed waterproofing
• Stoop or porch sinking
• Leaning chimneys
• Standing water around the foundation

Fixing Cracked Brick Walls

Foundation problems almost always get worse over time. The longer you wait to get it fixed, the more likely it is that it will spread to other parts of your homes foundation. Taking the time to get in front of your foundational issues early will help you tremendously in the long run. 

At Ground Up Foundation Repair, we are Nashville’s experts on everything foundation repair. Our repair team offers free inspections to give you peace of mind or to see how we can fix your problem. We tailor all our services to meet your needs as well as your budget. If you’re experiencing potential foundation problems, whether it be cracks in your bricks or water leaking into your home, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We cover the entire Nashville area as well as surrounding areas in Middle Tennessee.