Sometimes, wall cracks you see in your home are cosmetic blemishes. At other times, they’re an indicator of structural problems. These kinds of wall cracks exhibit themselves in unique ways. Some of the more serious cracks in your walls may be identified as indicators of serious and symptomatic structural failure.
It’s essential to know if a wall crack can be easily fixed with a bit of strategically-placed filler and paint or whether costly structural repairs to your home are called for. Underestimate the seriousness of cracks in walls and you might find yourself in some unwanted debt.
Small hairline cracks in plaster walls can be purely cosmetic and caused by a slight contraction and expansion in the wood framing of the house during seasonal changes. Other cracks in internal walls may be indicators of more serious underlying issues such as subsidence, poor initial design or structural and foundational defects. Hence why it is critical as home owners we must take care of our homes like we do our cars. Have it inspected and serviced occasionally in an attempt to eliminate serious problem in the future.
#1 - Horizontal Cracks
While fine hairline horizontal cracks in plaster and mortar may be due simply to shrinkage or weathering in the plaster or mortar, other horizontal cracks are more serious. Horizontal cracks in the wall identified during a building inspection commonly indicate localized movement due to a foundational failure just beneath the cracked wall. Even though movement is localized, further damage can occur if horizontal cracks aren’t repaired.
#2 - Vertical Cracks
Cracks that move vertically are caused by sinking, settling, or sagging foundation problems. Settling issues arise when the soil under your house shifts or moves. Usually only one part of your home will sag into the changed soil, so cracks in your foundation occur
#3 - Stepped Cracks
Stepped cracks over 5mm indicate a large part of your home is moving due to unstable soil or brick house foundations. Stepped cracks need to be investigated by a suitably qualified structural and geotechnical engineer and assessed how underpinning works may commence in order to stop any further potential cracking.
#4 - Floor Cracks
Cracking is part of concretes natural tendency. When it's first poured, concrete is in its liquid form. Over the of a couple of days, it hardens into a solid, shrinking as it does so. This initial shrinking often results in hairline cracking within the first few days of installation. Further to this, cracks are develop when stresses in the concrete exceed its strength. If you are concerned by any of the cracking in your concrete floors and walls, contact us today for a condition assessment.
However, don't be disheartened. In engineering there is always a way. Our structural engineers can help ease the process by providing you exceptional service and quality dilapidation reports in order to capture all the issues in your property today.
We understand that when it comes to fixing wall cracks, cost and quality is most important. Therefore, our engineers use the latest technology and progressive techniques to provide you with the most comprehensive building condition assessment report currently available in the market.
Therefore, contact us today via email on admin@dlaps.com.au and/or mobile on 0405 009 239 to get your free quote today!
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