Foundation Cracks in Oklahoma
Foundation cracks are a very common occurrence for buildings in Oklahoma, and usually are not a big deal. However, it is important to know when a foundation crack indicates structural dangers. Serious cracks can be a sign of foundation failure.
How Do Foundation Cracks form?
Most foundation cracks occur due to soil pressure around your foundation. The expansive clay soil in Oklahoma shrinks rapidly when it is dry and expands when it is wet, causing movement in your foundation. This can eventually lead to cracks that can cause concern.
How To Know If You Have Foundation Problems
If you are concerned about your foundation crack, take a look around your home or business and search for other signs of foundation failure. Here are some that you should always be on the lookout for:- Wall Cracks - Look for cracks in drywall that are jagged and runs off at a 45-degree angle
- Sticking Doors & Windows - Look for doors and windows that stick. This indicates that the frame has been twisted due to foundation settlement
- Sloping and cracked floors- If there is a crack, see if one side is lower than the other. This is a sign that the foundation have shifted and moved.
- Water intrusion- Examine your basement or crawl space for water. If it is wet, this might mean there are wide cracks in your foundation.
- Bowing walls - If you have bowing basement walls, this is a sign that hydrostatic pressure is pushing against your walls.
Types of Foundation Cracks
- Vertical/Diagonal Cracks - These cracks can be found above doors and windows. Although not as serious as horizontal cracks, they should still be looked at.
- Horizontal Cracks - Horizontal cracks are dangerous and almost always indicate structural problems. They are usually caused by hydrostatic pressure against your foundation.
- Stair Step Cracks- Stair-step cracks are a tell-tale sign of foundation movement, especially if they are a quarter-inch wide or more.
If you have concerns about your foundation cracks, call the professionals at Foundation Repair Services (FRS) to come and examine them and see if you are in need of foundation repair. If we find that you do have foundation problems, we will offer you the best solution to repair them. The sooner foundation repair is done, the better. The longer the problem is ignored, the costlier it will be in the future.
Foundation Crack Solutions in Muskogee, OK & Beyond
FRS has the products and experience to get your foundation back to its original state. Our underpinning products such as helical piers and push piers are manufactured by Earth Contact Products (ECP), the best products made in the industry for foundation repair and basement waterproofing. Here is some more information about the different foundation repair products that we use:
1. Helical piers are used when there is a need to resist a tension or compressive force or both. When these ECP helical piers are combined with a helical bracket, these screw anchors are ideal for foundation repair. They are ideal when there is a light structural load, unstable rock basement or very deep load bearing layers.
2. Steel push piers are used to support and stabilize the structure of load bearing walls by transferring the weight of the structure from weaker soils onto the steel piers that have been driven deep to load bearing soils.
3. Helical tieback anchors are designed to stabilize and strengthen bowing basement walls. These helical tieback anchors are installed from inside the basement wall through a small hole. With exterior excavation, the basement wall can be immediately pulled back to its original level.
At the first sign of foundation cracks, and for your foundation repair in Muskogee, OK and the surrounding area, let the experts at FRS examine your Oklahoma home. We will provide you with a written estimate and detailed description of what services need to be performed. Don't hesitate to contact us today!