Block Foundations: Cracks, Their Causes, & How to Repair Them

What Causes Damage to Block Foundations?

1. Hydrostatic Pressure

Hydrostatic pressure is the force most responsible for basement wall damage. It’s really simple: as the soil fills with rainwater, the soil expands more and more, putting pressure on your basement walls.

Standing water in your yard is a sign that your soil is expanding, and high water tables can make it all the more important to address. If you live close to a lake or pond, be aware that hydrostatic pressure is likely more of a problem around your home.

Over time, hydrostatic pressure causes your foundation wall to bow outward or crack, but it can feel very sudden when your foundation finally shows signs of damage and water leaks into your basement. Moisture can attract pests of all kinds and contribute to unhealthy mold growth.

Fun fact: hydrostatic pressure is what you experience when you go swimming or scuba diving and the pressure on your ears grows increasingly as you dive deeper and deeper.

2. Differential Settlement

Another issue that block foundations often face is foundation settlement. Simply put, this is when the soil below it no longer supports a foundation. Water (or lack of it) also plays a significant factor in this issue. There are three main reasons settlement occurs:

• Soil is too wet
• Soil is too dry
• Soil is not compacted tightly enough

When soil becomes oversaturated by precipitation, it becomes soft and squishy. Your heavy concrete block foundation will sink into wet soil like your foot does when you step into mud.

Even though drought is not common in DC, Virginia, and surrounding areas, it can also cause soil to become unsupportive. Dry soil shrinks in size, becomes brittle, and cracks under the weight of your foundation.

Lastly, poor compaction can cause soil to be weak. When soil particles are not packed tightly enough, small pockets of air cause structural integrity issues, and your foundation once again sinks into the weak soil.

No matter the cause of soil issues, your block foundation walls will always be too heavy for the weakened soil. Thankfully, JES Foundation Repair has plenty of options to combat the effects of foundation settlement.

How to Protect Your Block Foundation

1. Basement Waterproofing

Basement waterproofing includes a few different solutions that work to keep your basement dry and strong simultaneously. First, our team will install wall anchors to straighten out any bowing walls and protect them against building pressure in the future.

Wall anchors are installed into unmoving soils away from your foundation to offer permanent protection and close any cracks that may be causing leaks. However, this doesn’t keep all the water out.

Our team will also recommend using dehumidifiers, interior drainage systems, and sump pumps to keep water out and remove moisture from the foundation. With these options working side by side, your basement is well-defended against hydrostatic pressure.

2. Pier Systems

Since settlement is caused by weak soil, JES Foundation Repair uses pier systems that support your home and foundation without relying on the soil. Piers come in three varieties, each with its unique design. However, they all accomplish the same goal – stabilizing your foundation. Our piers include:

• Push piers
• Helical piers
• Slab piers

All our pier systems implement a similar basic design, with slight design differences depending on the style. However, all piers use a long, galvanized steel rod that is inserted below the ground into sturdy, load-bearing soils such as bedrock. These soils are unaffected by moisture-related issues. Plus, the piers push any uneven portions of your foundation back into place, restoring your home to its proper form and closing cracks in the process.

An added bonus is that installation is minimally invasive to your property as the piers rest underground. Our team is dedicated to thoroughly cleaning up your yard after installation and keeping your landscaping pristine.

Dedication to Quality Service

Foundation Repair FAQs

Related Resources

• 

  Foundation Leveling and Repair: Everything Homeowners Need to Know

  Concerned about an uneven foundation? Learn common problem signs and how to repair them with expert foundation leveling.

• 

  Williamsburg VA Foundation Problems? Here’s What to Know

  Discover how Williamsburg, VA, soil, drainage, and materials impact foundations. Get expert repair tips, DIY solutions, and waterproofing info here.

• 

  Foundation Problems in Annapolis and Cape Saint Claire: What to Know

  Foundation problems in Annapolis and Cape Saint Claire are more common than many homeowners realize. We cover the causes, warning signs, and solutions to help you protect your home.