Causes of Foundation Cracks in San Antonio

What Causes Cracks in Walls and Ceilings?

If cracks are appearing unexpectedly inside your house or around your foundation, a professional inspection is the next step. There are nearly as many different types of foundation cracks and signs of foundation failure as there are causes. Finding an adequate solution usually requires analysis by an expert. The following cracks and causes should be used as a guide, keeping in mind that often foundation issues will result in more than one type of crack and may have more than one cause.

Additional Videos with Ram Jack Texas - Central/South

• Part 1: The Problem
• Part 2: The Cause
• Part 3: The Solution
• Why Fix My Foundation?

Sheetrock & Drywall Cracks

Homeowners tend to spend the majority of their time inside the house where sheetrock cracks are easily noticed. While repairing and re-painting the sheetrock is effective as a temporary cosmetic repair, the cracks will quickly open back up and get worse if the underlying foundation issue isn’t addressed.

Why Is My Drywall Cracking?

• The foundation of the home is shifting and settling
• The initial installation of the sheetrock panels was done incorrectly
• There are changes in temperature or humidity levels
• The home has a leak

Cracks in plaster or sheetrock will help you determine whether the settlement you are experiencing is on the interior of your home or along the perimeter.

Brick Cracks

While sheetrock cracks are easy to repair, brick cracks are not as simple – and they generally present the biggest concern to the homeowner. The types of cracking vary in direction and size.

What Causes Brick Walls to Crack?

• Often the cracks will be larger at the top and narrow at the bottom. This indicates downward settlement on a corner of the house, and the cracks are usually accompanied by the wall rolling — which will push out the trim near the roof.
• Another common brick crack pattern will be narrow at the top and wide at the bottom, which indicates sagging in the middle of the wall.

Doors and Windows

Sticking or separating doors and windows are a clear indication that the structure of your home has begun to be compromised. Looking at the reveal of your door (the gap between the top of the door and the door jamb), you can figure out on which side the settlement is occurring. The reveal will be uneven; the narrow side creates an arrow which points toward the side that’s low.

Doors and windows that stick can cause safety concerns. Recovery and support of doorways is one of the most common requests we get from customers.

Plumbing Leaks

Another culprit in foundation cracks is the dreaded plumbing leak. We’re not talking about the pressure side coming into the house — that can be monitored by your monthly bill and watching the meter.

The drain side of your plumbing — the exit from tubs, toilets, and sinks to the sewer — is not metered and can leak for years without detection. This can sometimes cause the soil to erode from under the slab, or even expand the clay to the point that the home raises above its intended level.

Where Will You See Cracks Appear?

1. Door Frames
2. Ceilings and Corners
3. Doors
4. Sub Flooring
5. Floor Tiles and Planks
6. Exterior Walls
7. Window Frames
8. Exterior Foundation
9. Exterior Walls
10. Garage Doors
11. Corner Walls
12. Brick Walls
13. Ceiling / Wall Joints
14. Basements
15. Crawlspaces
16. Plumbing
17. Concrete Foundation Slab Wall or Floor

Make an appointment with Ram Jack Texas - Central/South to learn more about our services or about what causes cracks in walls and ceilings by calling (210) 970-7115.