The floors are exposed to the weather and ground movements, which leads to deterioration of the concrete, in the form of crevices. Cracks in the foundation are also on the rise in homes in La Belle Province. Obviously, they create a lot of worries for homeowners!
Today, let’s take a look at the possible causes of increased cracks in the foundation and some tips if you notice them in your home.
Rise in ground cracks: the causes
Several factors can explain the increase in crevices on buildings in Quebec.
Frost
Ground cracks are due to frost during the winter period, among other things.
When water turns to ice, it increases in volume, and pressure is created on the concrete. The latter, not being designed to be subjected to such constraints, cracks.
The very cold temperatures of the winters of the last decade, and therefore the frost and pressure on the foundations, have weakened the concrete of the foundations of many homes and homeowners are now paying the price.
Temperature differences
Temperature differences can also lead to cracks that will need to be repaired by professionals.
During a thaw or rainfall, water seeps into cracks and accumulates there. When the frost season returns, the water expands and causes the concrete to work, which then cracks further.
The alternation between periods of extreme cold and the mild weather that characterizes winters nowadays is therefore not unrelated to the multiplication of problems of crevices in the basement of many houses.
The movements of the ground
Another known cause is the movement of Quebec’s soil, typical of clay soils that have dried out, after a lack of precipitation for example.
Appearance of rising cracks in the foundations: what to do?
The first step is to walk around your property for signs of damage.
Usually, a larger foundation crack will lead to more risk (1 to 2 mm wide). In this case, we must not delay in taking action.
It is important to keep gutters and downspouts away to avoid water infiltration into micro-cracks or the accumulation of liquid near the foundation.
Also make sure that the French drain is in good condition and drains water properly, to avoid the phenomenon of freezing liquids.
These steps could save you a lot of inconvenience and a huge bill when making the necessary repairs!
Call in the experts
Cracks in a foundation must be taken seriously to prevent further deterioration of your building.
Call in foundation maintenance specialists to perform an inspection!
Based on their observations, they will be able to advise you on how to proceed. There are several options that can be considered for repairing cracks in the foundation.
Contact us for more information or to get a free quote!
Need a Crack Repair Expert?
If you notice cracks on your foundation, it is important to act quickly. Fissure Expert offers professional foundation crack injection services throughout Quebec. Call a certified foundation crack contractor for a free estimate. We serve Longueuil, Sherbrooke, Gatineau and many other cities.