Important Points You Need to Know About Water Damage and Wall Cracks Allegheny County, PA

Cracks on the foundation, basement walls or other types of walls in general are a major cause for concern. Interestingly, many of the cracks that you see on the basement or foundation may be due to progressive damage by water. In fact, if you have lived in your home for some years and you start noticing some cracks, it is very likely that these cracks are caused by water.

In particular, diagonal, stair step and horizontal cracks that appear on the foundation and basement may be a sign of serious damage due to water. Such cracks need to be repaired promptly to avoid further damage. Here are some key points that you need to know about water damage and wall cracks.

1. Many Cracks Occur Due Increased Hydrostatic Pressure

It is common for cracks to occur on foundation and basement walls due to water damage. When the soil around the foundation gets soaked with water, it becomes heavier and exerts more lateral pressure on the walls. This can cause cracking and even wall bowing. When walls crack, they can allow water to seep into the basement and cause even more damage.

It is important to repair any cracks caused by water damage and to take measures such as basement waterproofing to reduce seepage of water and prevent further damage.

2. Professional Help Is Required When Inspecting and Repairing Wall Cracks

Before you carry out repair for wall cracks, it is important to thoroughly inspect your building. This requires the help of a professional repair contractor. Such a contractor will help you identify the underlying causes of the cracking and recommend the best measures to permanently fix these cracks.

By working with a professional contractor, you will be able to know the types of cracks that you can ignore and those that you should fix urgently. For instance, if foundation or basement wall cracks are caused by water, then the contractor will recommend measures such as basement waterproofing immediately to avoid further water damage.

Basement waterproofing measures also include improving the drainage around your house to reduce the amount of water that reaches the foundation.

3. Wall Cracks Can Be Repaired

Although cracks can be frightening, the good news is they can be fixed. Professional wall repair contractors know how to fix different types of cracks. So, whether your building has vertical, diagonal, horizontal or stair step cracks, the contractor will simply do a thorough examination to determine the type of repair that is required and help you fix the problem.