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Foundation Crack Repair in Sioux Falls
Multiple Basement Wall Repair Options Available
Foundation wall cracks are a common problem in South Dakota. When rain and melting snow soak into the soil, added pressure can build up on your Sioux Falls home’s foundation walls, causing them to crack, lean, or bow. Other foundation problems can cause vertical or diagonal cracks as well.
While some hairline foundation cracks are common and not a structural hazard, others are a sign of either serious underlying problems or a wall that needs to be stabilized.
How to Tell if a Foundation Crack is a Problem
The big questions when it comes to basement and foundation wall cracks are:
- How wide is it?
- What direction is it heading?
- Is it getting bigger?
A vertical hairline crack that is not growing, for instance, might just be caused by concrete shrinkage. A horizontal crack that is widening, however, could be a significant foundation problem that should be addressed before the needed repairs get worse.
Vertical cracks are generally seen as the least serious, although even they can be problematic. If the crack is already fairly wide or still growing, that is a sign that there is an underlying problem that must be dealt with. Also, multiple vertical cracks appearing right next to each other is a warning sign of deeper issues.
Diagonal or stair-step cracks are a bigger problem. Often they are a sign of differential foundation settlement, where a portion of your home is sinking a bit into the ground below.
Horizontal cracks in foundation walls are often a sign of pressure being applied on the outside of the wall. In many cases this is hydrostatic pressure from water built up against your foundation. In some cases, the pressure causes the wall to not only crack, but bow inward as well. If the bowing gets too severe before repairs are done, the entire wall might need to be replaced.
Foundation Crack Repair Options
Carbon Fiber Straps
Carbon fiber is arguably the least invasive way to repair foundation wall cracks or stabilize a bowing basement wall. No excavations are needed and the entire repair takes place within your basement. Carbon fiber straps are simply run from the top to the bottom of the wall. In some cases, carbon fiber straps might also need to be applied along the crack.
Carbon fiber has a greater tensile strength per weight ratio than steel so once the straps are properly installed, the wall will be stabilized. This will allow any cracks to be sealed without worrying that they will immediately open up again. Carbon fiber repairs are also the easiest wall repair to hide as carbon fiber can be painted or drywalled over.
Solving the Underlying Problem
While carbon fiber straps directly address the cracks, other repair methods might be needed to fix the cause of the crack. If the cracks are caused by foundation settlement, an underpinning system could be necessary. If a wall is bowing too much for carbon fiber alone to be a solution, helical tiebacks or plate anchors might be needed.
Need Foundation Crack Repair in Sioux Falls, SD? Contact Us
Rapid Foundation Repair will help you make the right choice for your unique situation. Our quality foundation and crack repair products, installed only by trained professionals, will ensure the safety of your family and the integrity of your foundation. Call us today for all your foundation crack repair needs.