Although it may seem daunting, repairing cracks in your basement floor is something you can do without going to the expense of hiring a professional. The floor is cracked and sinking to the outside. UNEVEN FLOORS. During construction, when the concrete walls and floor are poured, a small gap is left between the floor and walls. Soil Erosion under the Floor There can be an enormous amount of water movement underneath a foundation, especially if a home is built in the way of an underground stream, on bedrock, on a high water table, or in the natural pathway of moving rainwater. Many contactors will address this problem by jacking up the house, lifting it upwards, in order to repair these support beams. Wednesday, August 28th by Kristina McGovern. Heaving is common where there's clay soil. Typically, this will result in small cosmetic cracks only, and don’t necessarily need to be repaired. Over time, this can wash away the strata underneath a foundation, leading to empty space underneath the foundation. Heaving can cause cracks in the basement floor slab and uneven floors, making finishing a basement much more difficult. A sinking basement floor can be repaired and the floor made stable again with our polyurethane foam techniques. If you are worried about how they look, you can cover the concrete with basement flooring like Basement Systems’ ThermalDry wood-look plank flooring or carpeted flooring. These types of cracks can show up as long as a year after the basement floor is poured, depending on how quickly the slab dries and how humid the basement is. Concrete floors with cracks and sinking should be leveled. Featured States: Alabama, All of these problems are potentially serious ones, and serious attention should be paid attention to them, as they can indicate a very serious foundation problem. Your floor may be cracking, or the walls may be separating from the floor below or ceiling above. However, if the sinking floor is accompanied by cracks forming in the foundation walls, an uneven foundation settlement, or a tilting chimney, the foundation may be experiencing a damaging settlement problem. Hairline cracks in the basement floor are superficial and don’t require repair. (Note that hairline cracks are common and do not necessarily indicate a sinking foundation; large cracks … However, some cracks in the basement floor can let in water, moisture, and dangerous soil gasses (including radon). Add interior perimeter drainage and a good sump pump system in the basement. Install gutters and downspouts if you don’t have them. Water seepage at the cove joint is a common problem. Along with cracks in the concrete, the floors can separate from the walls as they sink downwards. Or select a state or province to get started. Your concrete slab floor is showing signs of sinking, sagging, or settling. Concrete Raising Systems in Kansas City will do the repairs with fewer holes, less mess and it will not sink … These are quite common. Cracks with heaving are signs of a bigger problem that needs to be addressed. These cracks … This process requires extensive training and experience and should never be attempted by anyone who is not a professional in foundation repair. Hairline cracks are caused by shrinkage as concrete dries. A contractor will likely address this problem though a combination of foundation piers and mud jacking. When you start to see a sinking basement floor, a concrete patio sinking or a garage floor that doesn’t look quite right, you might immediately worry. Cracks in the basement floor can let in water, moisture, and radon gas. Get a no cost, no obligation free estimate. If no expansion joints are cut into the concrete floor then shrinkage cracks will likely appear. PolyLevel uses a high-density polyurethane formula to permanently lift and stabilize a sinking concrete slab. Make sure landscaping is properly graded and slopes away from the foundation. 1/8-inch or wider cracks should be sealed. These piers will extend beneath the foundation, … The resulting uneven surface can create a tripping hazard. What to Do: Cracks wider than ⅛-inch should be sealed to help keep water, moisture, soil smells, and radon gas from seeping through the basement floor. Repairing Foundation Settlement At Tar Heel Basement Systems, we recommend … Sinking basement floors can be indications of a variety of basement problems. Or call us at Alternatively, the interior wall … This can definitely be a cause for concern; … The area in the basement where the walls and floor meet (called the cove joint) is a common problem area for water seepage. Kansas. When the groundwater level rises and the soil becomes saturated, hydrostatic pressure forces water through the cove joint. Over time, the ductwork can leak air, which can dry out the soil. In a lot of cases, the first signs … 3. Settlement causes cracked, uneven concrete basement floors. Below are the most common causes of sinking floors … Cracked foundations can lead to framing issues, roof issues, problems with doors and windows and even leaks in basement walls. Your floor may be cracking, or the walls may be separating from the floor below or ceiling above. This means helical piers are the primary repair you need. When a foundation settles, the concrete slab can crack and the part of the slab that's less supported sinks into the depression. Small cracks in the basement floor commonly result from shrinkage as the concrete dries, which pulls the concrete apart. Keep your gutters clean and in good working condition. Cracks 1/8-inch or wider should be sealed. Improperly Sized Footing Pads When a home is built, pillars are built in the basement or crawl space that are designed to transfer the home's weight to the virgin soil below the home. Click to read more about addressing foundation settlement. Moreover, if you notice water puddles collecting around the base of your home, it also indicates that your house is sinking. The ground can settle in a finished or … The outside wall shows signs of settling. The result is a concrete slab with no support underneath, leading to fatigue and sinking of the floor. Sinking Basement Floors Sinking basement floors can be indications of a variety of basement problems. HVAC (Heating, Venting, and Air Conditioning) systems may be installed beneath the floor slab. What to Do: Nothing. Hairline cracks don’t require repair. The polyurethane material expands, lifting and leveling the slab. Concrete slabs sink because the earth beneath it begins to compress due to evaporating moisture in the ground. Sinking Basement Floors Sinking basement floors can be indications of a variety of basement problems. Here's What They Mean - Bob Vila (Photo: Supportworks). Along with cracks in the concrete, the floors can separate from the walls as they sink downwards. Use this quick guide (with pictures) to determine whether or not the cracks in your concrete basement floor require attention. When a floor slab settles, the damage can manifest itself in many ways. The gap between the basement wall and floor shouldn't be sealed. As the soil dries and shrinks, gaps form under the floor slab, creating voids. The good news is most basement floor cracks are normal and don’t need to be repaired. Most times the cracks are normal, non-structural settlement cracks. Concrete spalling is unattractive, but chances are the slab is still in good shape. Cracks in the Basement Floor? Heaving suggests that the soil beneath the basement floor is expanding. It’s very common for cracks to form in a home’s foundation after it’s built. Mud Jacking: "Mud jacking" is done by drilling 2" holes through the concrete basement floor. Drywall cracks can also be a sign of sinking crawl space supports, sinking floors, and heaving floors. Because the soil no longer supports the floor slab, the floor begins to crack and sink … When your basement floor starts to settle you will notice a gap between the wall and the ceiling or by the baseboard and the floor or a support post and the ceiling. If you find cracks in the concrete of your basement, don’t panic. Correction of foundation and structural problems can be very costly and occasionally foundation cracks … 1-800-638-7048. Tar Heel Basement Systems specializes in repairing floors that are sinking or unlevel due to foundation problems. Georgia & What to Do: Don’t try to hide the problem with paint. Depending on the extent … When a floor slab settles, the damage can manifest itself in many ways. What to Do: Call a professional foundation repair contractor. Causes of Basement Floor Cracks and What to Do About Them, Signs of Frost Heave and How it Affects the Basement. There are times when your slab floor may sink or lift independently of the foundation walls, damaging the floors but not necessarily the walls. The holes are then filled with a fluid mix of soil/cement grout, returning the floor to normal. Heaving is especially common in areas with clay soil. Foundation Floor Cracks Your concrete slab floor is showing signs of sinking, sagging, or settling. Basement Systems, Inc. © 2002-2021 All Rights Reserved. If you pull up your carpeting and see cracks in the cement, that is a sure sign that your home’s concrete basement floor is sinking. What to Do: Sealing the gap isn't recommended since the sealant can crack. A combined wall and floor allows piers to … For most of us, it’s not a common routine to regularly check our basement walls and floors for cracking, bowing, bulging or sinking. A system design specialist from one of our dealerships will inspect and measure your basement or crawl space completely FREE of charge.You will also receive one of our books (valued at $14.95) at no cost to you including free shipping. If the foundation has been raised up by swelling and expanding soils, it may lift the home upwards, leaving a void underneath the foundation floor. * What is a Free Estimate and Inspection? However, there are many reasons why a foundation cracks, such as settling of the home, concrete shrinkage and curing, stress, and poor construction. The floor around the supports would be jackhammered, and footing pads would be repoured. There are simple steps you can take to relieve hydrostatic pressure and help prevent cracks in your basement. If you'd like a professional evaluation of your basement floor cracks or you are dealing with water intrusion in the basement, contact us for a free basement crack repair estimate! This guide with visual examples can help you understand what the cracks in your basement floor mean and whether or not they should be repaired. What to Do: Concrete basement floors that are uneven should be leveled. When the soil heaving gets invasive, interior framed walls, load … Alternatively, the interior wall may be pulled down with the floor, … Cracks in the basement floor can be a cause of panic for homeowners. Extend your downspouts away from the house to keep them from dumping water close to the foundation walls. They can assess the situation and recommend the best solution. Below are the most common causes of sinking floors … At Complete Basement Systems, we fix foundation settlement issues by installing steel foundation piers. However, even small cracks in the basement floor can allow water, moisture, and radon to enter into the basement. Spalling or flaking is ugly but doesn’t require repair. ** Warranties vary by product and service. As these pillars sink into the floor, the floor can sink with it. The sub-base wasn't properly compacted and the concrete settled in one area causing the basement floor to sink and crack. Owning a home is likely to be one of the biggest financial commitments you'll make in … It can occur when the concrete mix is too wet or hasn’t been properly cured. If these sound like problems you’ve experienced, you may have a sinking or settling foundation. If the soil around the foundation is poorly graded or you have improper drainage, water can build-up and put pressure (referred to as hydrostatic pressure) on the foundation, causing it to crack. Another option is to install waterproof flooring over the concrete. 2. Consider concrete resurfacing to make the concrete look like new and prevent future spalling. Cracks, settlement, and other types of damage to your concrete foundation are not only serious to the structural integrity of your home, they can also be very expensive to repair. Looking for a price? If you have cracks in your basement walls or on your interior drywall or plaster walls, that’s a major sign your home’s foundation may be sinking. The most effective solution to keep water and moisture out of the cove joint is with a basement waterproofing system (interior drain tile and a sump pump), which helps relieve hydrostatic pressure. More information about slab floor crack … Hairline cracks are caused by shrinkage as … When the soil becomes wet, it creates enough pressure to lift and crack a concrete slab floor. Foundation cracks in your basement and on the walls of your living room are still indicators of a sinking wall. Signs a basement is sinking or shifting. Penny-sized holes are drilled into the slab and a structural-grade polymer is injected into the void. Like hairline cracks, these cracks that are slightly wider are likely the result of shrinkage and are not a sign of a serious foundation problem. If you have a crack in your basement floor, determine the type of crack and what’s caused it to figure out how to best solve your problem. Why did the basement floor sink? (Photo: Supportworks). My House Is Sinking & the Walls Are Cracking: Is This Covered by Homeowner's Insurance?. In many situations the contractor may suggest that foundation push piers are installed to raise the foundation upwards, with the gap underneath filled via mud jacking. To ensure professional installation and superior service we carefully created an international network of over 350 trusted basement contractors. However, if you see the cracks worsening over time, or you start to see sinking or buckling of your garage floor… Our foundation repair experts will identify the cause of your floor damage and … Since 1987, Basement Systems, Inc. and its network of affiliated contractors have helped restore peace of mind to thousands of homeowners across North America. Below are the most common causes of sinking floors in a basement: Rising Foundations Sometimes the appearance of a sinking floor is more than it seems. Can be washed clean, broken pieces dug out, and patched with garage floor repair epoxy, with portland cement mixed to soft dough consistency and trowelled in, or with concrete crack repair … While under construction, the basement floor … Lack of rainfall or snow can affect not only your basement … The water evaporates and loosens the top layer of the concrete, causing it to flake off. Basement or Plaster Wall or Drywall Cracks. Check with your local dealership for specific warranty information. The house would then be restored to its original position, and the floor concrete would be repoured in that area. Cracks in your concrete floor slab can be a sign of foundation settlement, but they may also be a sign that the slab floor alone has settled. Spalling concrete is unattractive, but usually not cause for concern. All of these problems are potentially serious ones, and serious attention should be paid attention to them, as they can indicate a very serious foundation problem. A mixture of soil and cement grout is then pumped into the void, adding solid strata underneath the home. When a basement floor crack is combined with heaving, this is a cause for concern. The surface of the floor is likely to keep flaking and when it does, it will take the paint off too. All of these problems are potentially serious ones, and serious attention should be paid attention to them, as they can indicate a very serious foundation problem. If these are the wrong size, they can fail to provide the proper support and weight distribution. The floors in your home are made of wood on the upper levels and concrete in …