MORE LOCATIONSHere are the top 7 causes of floor cracks in your basement
If you are a homeowner, you know how it demands maintenance every now and then. There is a wide range of problems that need to be looked into as soon as they develop to avoid any further damage. Home basements are one such area that requires constant vigilance and maintenance. Most basements have been constructed with a concrete slab. Occasionally, floor cracks will develop, causing the slab to separate.
Development of floor cracks in the basement is a common issue and has several reasons for it. Potential causes of floor cracks include water seepage, shrinkage, settlement, frost heave, structural problems, improper thickness, and uneven weight distribution.
These reasons need to be looked into soon before the situation gets worse.
Causes of Floor Cracks in Basement
Potential causes of floor cracks in the basement include:
Water Seepage
Water seepage is one of the primary reasons for the development of floor cracks in the basement. Beneath the foundation, the surface is moist due to water seepage. This aggravates the cracks in the basement floor. Excessive water built up beneath the concrete slab makes the slab shrink, causing it to be uneven. This uneven concrete slab results in severe breakage and cracks in the floor of the basement.
Shrinkage
Shrinkage is yet another cause of the development of floor cracks in the basement. As the concrete in the floor of the basement dries up, it starts to shrink. Here, temperature plays an important role. If the temperature falls while the basement cures, it will cause cracks. Similarly if the temperature increases, the concrete will dry up soon, resulting in cracks in the floor. Although cracks in the floor due to shrinkage are unlikely to cause any serious structural problems, they can create problems like water or pests.
Settlement
Another cause for floor cracks is the settlement of concrete slabs. It generally happens when the soil beneath your foundation is too unstable to support the weight of your home. Soil movement, leaks in your basement, and uneven tree roots open doors for settlement cracks. Gaps forming between floor and walls, between walls and ceiling, walls pulling away from each other, and cracks on walls especially near the corners, are a sign of settlement.
Frost Heave
During the winter season, cracks in basement floors are common. When soil freezes, it causes contraction and then a shift underneath your foundation. This also causes the concrete to shift, eventually leading to cracks in the floor of the basement.
Structural Problems
Instability of the soil beneath your floor can lead to serious issues. Concrete basements always lead to cracks.
Improper Thickness
If enough concrete is not poured to achieve the required thickness at the time of construction of the house, there are greater chances that basement floors will crack.
Uneven Weight Distribution
Some areas in the house are used more than other areas such as the living rooms. There is heavy furniture in the living rooms. This heavy furniture causes an imbalance in weight distribution which can lead to cracks.
Are you startled at the sight of floor cracks in the basement? Well, Crackx has the solution to your problem. Repairing floor cracks is necessary. If they are not repaired, they will cause problems like insect intrusion, moisture penetrating the floor and causing an unpleasant odor, and a lot of other reasons.
Do not panic at the cracks in the floor of your basement because they are repairable whether you are living in a newly constructed home or an already existing structure.