Foundation cracks often show up where you least want them, like corners, basement window frames, walls, and pipe areas. Have you noticed any of these problem areas in your Ottawa home? Should you be worried?
While such cracks can look intimidating, they don’t necessarily mean your house is about to come tumbling down. Sometimes, they’re harmless; other times, they’re waving a red flag for problems that require swift action. So, when should the alarm bells ring, and when might a watchful eye suffice? Read on to find out!
Identifying the Most Commonly Seen Foundation Cracks
Cracks in your home’s foundation may show up in various places: walls, ceilings, floors, or the foundation itself. Each type signals a different cause and level of urgency. The top five most common foundation crack types that we see across Ottawa homes include horizontal cracks, vertical cracks, stair-step cracks, diagonal cracks, and hairline cracks due to concrete cutting.
Often resulting from soil or water pressing against your foundation, horizontal cracks run sideways. If left untreated, sagging support structures can develop, and walls may eventually bow inward. Expensive structural damage tends to follow, which is why foundation crack repair should be arranged promptly.
Vertical cracks occur when the soil beneath your foundation shifts or settles. They aren’t too alarming usually, unless they start to widen beyond a quarter inch. At that point, you need to call in the professionals for immediate assistance.
Stair-step cracks, named for their jagged, step-like pattern, form when your foundation settles unevenly. Such cracks often point to serious foundation issues and require an immediate call to your foundation repair experts.
Diagonal cracks emerge due to uneven weight distribution or structural problems. Even though not all diagonal cracks indicate that your foundation is unstable, it’s really not worth rolling the dice. These cracks can worsen and lead to costly fixes if left ignored.
Lastly, there’s hairline cracks, which appear during concrete curing and are usually cosmetic. They tend to develop within the first two years and are typically addressable with cement or epoxy. If they continue growing, though, we suggest that you reach out to the experts as soon as possible.
Origins of Cracks in Your Foundation
At its core, soil movement and weather cause most foundation cracks. Although poor workmanship may play a role here, its impact is typically minor compared to shifting soil and seasonal changes. Below are nine common causes for foundation cracks and what you can do about them.
Settling foundations are perfectly normal, especially during the first years after construction. Usually, settling happens evenly, but when it doesn’t, gaps, cracks, and warped floors can appear. This often occurs in Ottawa homes built on poorly compacted soil.
Natural curing of concrete causes hairline cracks as the material dries and contracts. Since water is part of the mix, expansion and contraction are expected. This is generally harmless unless cracks widen.
Grading and drainage issues are often major culprits. If your home is correctly graded, this means that your yard slopes away from your home and is properly diverting water. When grading is wrong, however, water will pool near your foundation, which then increases soil saturation and pressure on your walls.
High temperatures will dry the ground and cause the soil to shrink and compact. Heat also expands your foundation during the day and contracts it at night. Over time, this back-and-forth motion can cause cracking.
Heaving frost has the opposite effect. Ottawa’s cold winters freeze water in the soil, causing expansion that puts pressure on foundations. This can shift soil, crack walls, or tilt floors.
Expansive soils, especially those rich in clay, absorb water and swell. When homes are built on such soils, they’ll experience greater seasonal shifts, amplifying stress on foundations.
Severe weather, including heavy rains, can wash away soil supporting your foundation or saturate it, causing expansion. This can push your foundation inward and lead to cracking.
Growing slowly but steadily, tree roots can exert pressure on your foundation. They’ll also draw in moisture from the soil, which adds another layer of damage. This combination greatly increases the risk of foundation cracks.
Soil saturation means your ground is too wet. Foundation walls rest on footings, which sit on the soil, and when it becomes oversaturated, your footings will settle unevenly and walls will crack. Excess water weight can force foundations inward, and often present as diagonal cracks near corners. The oversaturation is often attributed to improper grading, clogged gutters, or missing sump pumps.
When should you call the experts?
Although they’re often harmless, concrete shrinkage cracks happen when the material dries and shrinks. In contrast, you should never ignore cracks that are due to uneven settling or lateral soil pressure. Have you noticed bowing foundation walls, slanted floors, or water pooling near your foundation? Moisture in your basement or crawl space is another red flag.
Foundation failure might creep up without obvious signs at first. If cracks keep growing, more cracks and more problems usually follow. Timely repairs can prevent costly damage. Would you rather wait for an emergency or act now to protect your home?
How Professional Repairs Protect Your Home
Foundation repair is about much more than patching cracks. Causes such as soil settlement, lateral pressure, or drainage problems must be diagnosed accurately. Repair specialists then apply solutions that restore stability and protect your home for the long haul. Repairs can include push piers to stabilize sinking footings or carbon fiber straps to reinforce walls.
You’ll find that professional repairs often increase your home’s value by ensuring structural soundness. Buyers heavily consider foundation condition, and a crack-free foundation offers peace of mind. Professional waterproofing also keeps water out, preventing mould, rot, and further damage.
A home with a professionally repaired foundation promises lasting stability and peace of mind. Sagging floors or bowing walls may require underpinning or helical piers to prevent future movement. Professionals tackle both visible damage and hidden causes, providing comprehensive protection.
Why choose Foundation Service Ottawa?
Choosing a foundation repair company isn’t always easy. At Foundation Service Ottawa, we get it. As a licensed and insured family-owned business serving Ottawa and the surrounding communities, we’ve built our reputation project by project, securing homes along the way.
Hundreds of successful projects stand behind our name. Foundation crack repairs, comprehensive structural restorations, drainage improvements—you name it, we’ve tackled it. Each project is assessed by our team of structural engineers, and solutions are tailored to your home. Nothing is torn down, foundations are stabilized, homes are protected, and life continues with minimal disruption.
Foundation issues can feel overwhelming, but they don’t have to be a disaster. Horizontal cracks, drainage headaches, and soil saturation are problems that have solutions. We’re here to provide them. Your foundation carries the weight of everything you love, so keeping it safe, secure, and liveable isn’t optional—it’s essential.
Ready to secure your Ottawa home’s foundation? Don’t let foundation cracks worsen or cause structural damage. Early intervention saves money and preserves your home’s safety. Contact one of our team members today by emailing us at [email protected] or filling out our contact form here.
