Wall cracks are often signs of structural issues. While some settling is normal in homes, excessive cracking due to shifting soil can lead to costly repairs if you don’t address them promptly.
Taking proactive steps can minimize the risk of wall cracks caused by soil movement. This article covers the causes of wall cracks and provides practical solutions to help protect your home’s structure.
Understanding Why Cracks in Walls Happen
Houses naturally shift and settle to some degree over time. Hairline cracks forming above doors, windows, and walls is often a result of minor structural movement. Two key factors influence the frequency and extent of this shifting:
- The type of soil under and around the house
- The topography and drainage around the property
Large amounts of water pooling near the foundation can lead to cracks as moisture changes cause soil expansion and contraction. Cracks often appear after periods of warm, dry weather that alter soil moisture levels.
How Expansive Soils Cause Foundation Movement
While the soil around your home may appear solid, it can expand, contract, and shift due to changes in moisture levels. This movement exerts pressure on foundation walls and slabs, often resulting in cracks in indoor finishes. Expansive soils with high clay content are particularly prone to shrink-swell cycles.
In addition to wall and ceiling cracks, signs of expansive soil issues include separations between walls and ceilings, cracks in brick veneer and concrete surfaces, and doors and windows that stick or jam. In severe cases, you may notice uneven floors.
5 Steps To Prevent Wall Cracks from Shifting Soil
Implement these five steps to reduce the risk of wall cracks caused by shifting soil:
1. Install Rain Gutters and Downspouts
Proper water management around the home’s exterior prevents soil-related issues. To direct water away from the foundation, install gutters along the entire roofline, make sure your downspouts are properly connected, and extend them at least 5–6 feet away from your house.
Regularly clean gutters and downspouts to prevent clogs and overflow as well.
2. Grade the Soil Around the Foundation
Proper grading helps direct water away from the home’s foundation. If your home isn’t graded correctly, shape the soil around the house to slope away from the foundation. Aim for a slope of 1 inch per foot for the first 10 feet surrounding the house. Fill in any low spots near the foundation with compacted soil.
3. Control Watering Near the Foundation
Overwatering near the foundation can lead to soil saturation and expansion. To prevent this, adjust your sprinkler systems to avoid excessive watering near the house and aim your sprinklers away from your foundation. Consider using drip irrigation for plants near the house to control water distribution.
4. Install a French Drain if Necessary
In cases where neighboring properties slope toward your home, a French drain can help manage excess water. To install a French drain:
- Dig a trench along the problem area, sloping away from the house.
- Line the trench with landscape fabric.
- Fill with gravel and perforated pipe.
- Cover with more gravel and soil.
5. Provide Proper Ventilation Under Your House
Adequate ventilation helps maintain consistent moisture levels beneath your home. Moisture buildup can accelerate soil movement, thereby exacerbating structural strain. To improve ventilation, install foundation vents if not already present, keep the vents clear of debris and obstructions, and add a crawl space encapsulation system for severe moisture issues.
Is Shifting Foundation Movement Preventable?
While some degree of seasonal foundation movement is expected, excellent drainage and moisture control can reduce its impact. Proper grading, gutters, ventilation, and routine inspection of drainage systems help maintain consistent soil moisture year-round.
Construction materials such as helical piers or reinforced concrete may also offer solutions for homes in areas with particularly unstable soil. These materials provide additional support to the foundation, distributing the load more effectively and reducing the strain on the substructure.
Another approach is to use landscaping strategically to tackle excessive water runoff, which can stabilize the soil around your home. Vegetation can reduce erosion and help maintain the grade needed to facilitate rainwater drainage.
With effective moisture control measures in place, minor shifting should not cause significant damage to the home’s structure or require expensive repairs.
Importance of Professional Inspection
While these preventive measures can greatly reduce the risk of wall cracks from shifting soil, sometimes you need professional help. Professionals use specific diagnostic tools to identify and assess foundation problems:
- Laser levels can evaluate whether the floors are level, pinpointing areas of concern.
- Soil testing evaluates how expansive or compressive your surrounding earth might be.
- Engineers often use load transfer tests to determine how much weight a foundation can reliably hold.
Signs that warrant a professional inspection include cracks wider than ¼ inch, cracks that continue to grow or change, and doors or windows that suddenly become difficult to open or close. If you have visible sloping or unevenness in your floors, you need an inspection right away.
A structural engineer or foundation specialist can provide a thorough assessment and recommend appropriate solutions if significant issues are detected.
Final Thoughts
While some degree of settling is normal for any home, taking preventive steps can help keep minor shifts from escalating into major problems, saving you significant time, money, and stress in the long run. By adding proper drainage, moisture control, and ventilation measures, you can greatly reduce the risk of structural damage caused by soil movement.
FAQs About Shifting Foundations
What causes minor foundation cracks?
Common culprits of minor cracks include drying lumber, curing concrete, and changing soil moisture.
What does homeowner’s insurance cover for foundations?
Homeowner’s insurance typically does not cover shifting or settling foundation damage. You need separate earthquake or flood policies to cover foundation damage from those specific causes.
How long does foundation repair take?
How long foundation repair takes depends on the method. Mudjacking takes 1–3 days. Steel piers may take 3–5 days, and total reconstruction takes over two weeks. Consult a structural engineer on the best option.