Damage to your home’s foundation, walls, roof, and load-bearing walls all fall under the category of structural damage, which compromises the structure of your home. Wall cracks are typical in both new and old homes and are frequently brought on by typical house settling.
These cracks may be repaired quickly and affordably by re-taping the joints, which are the seams where the drywall panels connect. Your old house might not be able to support itself and might be in danger of falling or collapsing when there is structural deterioration.
Thankfully, a number of warning indicators will let you know before any serious harm is done. Finding the signs of structural damage is the first step in assessing the severity of wall cracks in your old home.
There may be substantial cracks in your old house’s walls and ceiling as a result of some of the following issues. Read some of them below.
Settling
The soil must be excavated to build a house. During building, some house forms require more soil disturbance than others. This soil settles and compacts with time, which results in cracks.
Instead of producing massive, angular cracks, natural settling typically produces tiny vertical fissures. Small-scale settling takes place naturally over time.
Volatile Soils
Reactive soil causes significant expansion and compression when wet and fissures in walls when dry. Clay is one type of reactive soil. Non-reactive soils also include sand and gravel. You can use soil testing to find out if your soil is reactive and might be to blame for the wall fracture.
Climate and Seasonal Changes
The soil can experience extreme contraction and expansion due to drought, flooding, climate change, and seasonal variations.
Additionally, they have the potential to significantly alter the water table directly beneath a residence, which could lead to structural issues with the house such as wall cracks.
Excavation Work in the Area
If you reside in a new housing development, near a construction site, or near a quarry, you might see cracks in the walls.
House cracks in your walls can be brought on by heavy machinery, major mechanical compaction of the soil, or blasting, especially if your home is older.
Bad Extension Job
If you extend your home without retaining the walls, internal wall cracking may result. When a load-bearing wall is subjected to excessive pressure, cracks may form in the wall.
Wall cracks can also be brought on by poor building materials and poorly constructed footing designs.
Water Damage
Garden sprinklers, water damage, blocked or leaky plumbing, clogged box gutters, and other factors can also cause wall cracks. Any of these can soak up soil or even wash it away.
Trees Near Your Home
Trees frequently develop invasive root systems, which can cause cracks in your home. Therefore, you must make sure that the plants and shrubs growing next to your walls are small.
By extracting water from the soil and changing its moisture content, trees might cause the existing wall to break.
Material Degradation
Materials used in buildings are no exception—nothing lasts forever. Gravity, weathering, rotting, or poor upkeep are just a few of the factors that can degrade building materials.
Your home’s structural integrity is compromised when the building components start to decay and may cave in to gravity.
Conclusion
If you notice any cracks in your old home, it’s important to have them inspected by a professional. They can determine the cause of the cracks and recommend the best course of action.
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