Should i worry about a hairline crack in my foundation?

Have you noticed a skinny crack forming in your home’s foundation? If so, you’re probably wondering if it’s cause for concern and what to do. Below, we’ll provide you with more information about hairline cracks in foundations, including what counts as a hairline crack, how they form, and what to do about them.

What Counts As a Hairline Crack In a Home’s Foundation?

Think about the width of a hair, and you’ll get the idea of what a hairline crack is. These cracks are extremely narrow and tend to be a consistent width all along their length.

One way to tell if your foundation has a hairline crack is to do a simple “penny test.” Hold a penny up to the crack. If the penny’s edge is thicker than the crack’s width, then you have a hairline crack.

How Do Hairline Cracks Form In Foundations?

Various factors can create cracks in your home’s foundation:

• Soil moisture levels around the foundation. Soil can move, expand, and contract as it gains and loses moisture throughout the year. That shifting can put pressure on your home’s rigid slab foundation and cause cracks to form.
• Temperature changes. Hot and cold weather can also cause your foundation and the soil around it to expand and contract. That repetition over time can lead to cracks.

While there isn’t anything you can do about the temperature where you live, you do have some control over the soil’s moisture. If you notice standing water around your home’s foundation from rain or your sprinkler system, work with a drainage expert to find a solution to direct water away from your home. This will prevent excess moisture from making the soil around your foundation soggy and unstable.

Should I Get a Hairline Crack In My Foundation Repaired?

At the very least, you should get a hairline crack in your foundation inspected by a trusted foundation repair company. Even though they’re thin, these cracks can let moisture seep into your crawl space or basement. That moisture can lead to mold and water damage.

Hairline cracks can also broaden over time and pose a structural threat to your home. Getting a hairline crack fixed by a professional is a relatively simple procedure, but repairing a large crack will be more difficult and costly. For this reason, home experts typically recommend getting the crack inspected and fixed sooner rather than later.

Do you need a foundation inspection? G.L. Hunt Foundation Repair is ready to assist! Contact our Fort Worth foundation repair experts today to schedule an appointment: (817) 438-2052.