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Concrete Cracks

Concrete cracks are typically caused by changes in the soil, which causes house settling and can damage your home's foundation. Whether you have cracked concrete blocks or a cracked concrete slab, it's a good indication that there's foundation settlement which needs to be fixed by a foundation repair contractor.

What Do I Need to Do First?

First you need to find the source of your concrete cracks which are typically caused by a foundation problem. You can learn more by browsing through the causes and recommendations on this page.

Or you can call in the experts at 866-370-4816 to make an appointment. One of our foundation repair experts will examine your concrete cracks and let you know if you have a settlement problem or if it just needs a patch.

Do These Concrete Cracks Look Familiar?

Click on the images below to view solutions.

What Causes Concrete Cracks?

Cracked concrete or a cracked concrete slab is caused by house settlement. Settling is a result of changes in the soil your home is built on, and occurs when the ground is no longer able to support the weight of your house. Soil changes occur when there is:

Excess Water
A lot of rain, an inadequate drainage system or poor grading could be creating problems for the soil your home's foundation sits on. When wet, soil expands and becomes soft– like a sponge – and pushes against your foundation, resulting in bowed walls, horizontal cracks and vertical cracks.

Dry Conditions
The hot summer days can affect more than your garden, it also evaporates the water from the soil surrounding your foundation. The dry soil pulls away from your foundation, creating a gap and shifting your home's foundation. This can cause concrete cracks and vertical cracks in your basement or foundation walls.

Poor Construction
The builder may have taken a short cut that has affected the soil your home is built on. After your home's foundation is poured and dried, soil is dumped outside the foundation to help it stabilize. If the soil wasn't compacted or the foundation was not completely dry when the soil was pour then concrete cracks can develop.

If you find a vertical crack in your foundation or basement that is wider than 1/16" or wider at the top or bottom, get help from a professional foundation repair contractor immediately. These types of vertical cracks indicate that you have a serious foundation issue.

Can I Fix the Concrete Cracks?

Don't assume that a cracked concrete slab or a concrete crack in your basement can always be repaired with a concrete patch, caulking or sand packing. While these quick-fixes cover up the concrete cracks they don't address and repair the cause of the cracked concrete: your settling foundation.

It's best to have your home inspected by a foundation repair contractor before repairing a symptom that may be a sign that you have a serious foundation issue.

Most of the time concrete cracks in your basement floor or walls mean you have a foundation issue. The cracks almost always get worse over time, creating more safety issues and tripping hazards, while becoming more expensive to repair.

Make an appointment with one of our foundation repair specialists, and you'll also receive a copy of the Homeowner's Guide to Foundation Repair. We can help you determine if your foundation needs to be repaired or if you can fix the cracked floor yourself. 

What Do I Do Now?

JES offers several foundation repair solutions, also known as underpinning. Underpinning is the process of stabilizing your home’s foundation by installing support piers under your home’s foundation. The piers are installed into a stable layer of earth, offering a long-term solution to your home’s foundation problems.

Your home may not need underpinning so it's important to find the source of the concrete cracks by requesting a free inspection And if your concrete cracks are nothing more than a cosmetic problem, we will tell you! with one of our foundation repair experts. Our consultant will perform a complete investigation of your home’s foundation and let you know the cause of the concrete cracks.

If your home needs repair, we will work with you to create a customized, economical foundation repair solution to your home’s cracked concrete slab, foundation cracks, concrete cracks and other foundation issues.

And if your concrete cracks are nothing more than a cosmetic problem, we will tell you. Ask us questions and share your foundation repair concerns. We’re your foundation repair authority!

The Experts at JES can Help!
If you're not sure of the source of your concrete cracks, give us a call at 866-370-4816, and schedule a free inspection. We'll find out the cause of the problem and help you find the perfect solution.

Concrete Cracks Solutions

Since your concrete cracks can be caused by a waterproofing problem or a sinking foundation it is best to schedule a free inspection to find the source of your home's problem. A few of the solutions we may recommend are JES Helical Piers, JES Push Piers, JES Slab Piers, The Reinforcer, PowerBrace or JES Wall Anchors.

Remember, every home's foundation solution is different. When in doubt, call us at 866-370-4816 to schedule your free, no obligation inspection. We are happy to answer your questions and put your mind at ease when it comes to your home's foundation issues.

JES has been most impressive. The foundation inspector was professional, pleasant and patient as he described the nature of the proposed repair effort to stabilize a concrete block out building on our property.

The work was scheduled to commence at a time convenient to us. Computer graphics of the proposed repair process and the equipment to be used was very impressive and helped to appreciate the magnitude of the job to be performed. Price quoted seemed reasonable given the scope of the job.

~ Josh H.