Cracks in the foundation: causes and ways to fight

Cracks in the foundation: why do they occur?
The foundation is the basis of any building, therefore, the highest requirements are placed on its strength and integrity. The beginning of the destruction of the building may be a crack in the foundation , which gradually increases in size and leads to the destruction of the building. Cracks in the foundation of buildings can appear for several reasons:

• the use of low-quality building materials;
• errors during the installation of formwork;
• inaccuracies in the calculations when planning the structure of the base;
• insufficient compaction of concrete;
• poor drainage.

In addition to these factors, the appearance of cracks can provoke other nuances. For example, swelling of the soil may occur in the case of a high occurrence of groundwater. Risk factors also include sudden temperature changes, earthquakes and other vibrations that can be triggered by the work of nearby enterprises. At the time of laying the foundation and erecting the building, builders can make mistakes in laying the waterproofing layer.

At the first detection of a crack in the foundation of a building, it is necessary to take control of the situation. If it increases in size and water enters the base of the building, it will begin to gradually collapse, which can lead to a reduction in the life of the building.



Types of cracks and options for their elimination
There are several types of cracks that form in the foundation:

1. A crack formed when a foundation sags or buckles. It appears due to a violation of the construction technology of the foundation of the structure.
2. Crack in the building. Such damage occurs due to subsidence of a certain section of the foundation.
3. Crack when tilting a high-rise building. These destructions can appear if there is a unilateral subsidence of the building.
4. A crack in the horizontal or lateral displacement of the building.

In addition to this classification, cracks in the foundation are divided according to the direction of propagation (vertical, horizontal and diagonal), as well as by size (up to 3 mm - small, as well as large and through).

The type of crack always depends on the option of its elimination. You can get rid of minor damage on your own, using a primer or sealant. Deep and old cracks are especially dangerous, and their repair always requires the help of specialists who use modern materials and tools to eliminate the defect and prevent new cracks from appearing. Building materials and technical solutions are always selected for each specific project, taking into account all its features.

To diagnose a crack and the state of the foundation of a building, it is necessary to order a consultation with a geotechnical engineer who will determine the degree of damage to the foundation and give recommendations on how to solve the problem.