Foundation cracks in your Springfield IL home can be both an eyesore and, if not dealt with correctly, serious structural problems that can threaten the stability of your entire house, costing you thousands and thousands of dollars to repair or replace! The good news? Foundation cracks are relatively easy to fix, especially when you work with an experienced Springfield IL foundation repair company.
Whether you want to learn more about what causes cracks in the first place or figure out how much foundation crack repair costs, this guide will help you understand everything you need to know about cracking foundations and foundation crack repair in Springfield IL.
This information is presented by our foundation repair experts. Visit our website at springfieldfoundationrepairexperts.com.
Importance of a Sound Foundation
When you buy a house, you’re really buying not just what you see but also everything that lies beneath it. This includes walls, floors, windows and doors—and your foundation. However, foundations get damaged over time from water penetration, cracks caused by shifting soil or erosion and other issues. An expert masonry contractor said that if your foundation has been damaged or shows signs of damage such as sagging floors or sloping walls, it needs to be repaired immediately.
The foundation takes care of all your home’s major support systems, including your walls and floors. If you have a cracked or damaged foundation, there’s a good chance that your walls and floors are also compromised. That means you need to call in professionals for a thorough inspection to determine what crack repairs for your Springfield home are needed and how much they will cost.
Can a Cracked Foundation Be Fixed?
If a home has a cracked foundation, it can be fixed, but only if damage is minimal. There are ways to fix a crack like by injecting grout into cracks or by rebuilding damaged sections of foundation walls with new concrete.
This process requires digging down to reach damaged areas and replacing them with new concrete; homeowners must hire contractors to do both jobs because neither one is easy for an amateur to perform correctly. Injecting grout into cracks costs less than replacing entire sections of wall, but both methods cost a lot of money and usually require multiple visits from contractors to complete.
The Seriousness of Foundation Cracks
The easiest way to tell is by its appearance. More minor cracks are usually small and easy to miss – unless you’re looking for them! If your crack is only a couple inches, it’s nothing to worry about. However, if it’s more than a couple inches across, you may have a problem.
Since foundation cracks form from a combination of pressure and water, cracks that are over 6 inches may indicate a serious problem. Over time, these large cracks will continue to widen due to soil movement, making it vital to address them as soon as possible. If you notice a major crack or several smaller ones on your foundation, contact a professional immediately for an inspection. The longer you wait, the more damage you risk doing to your home.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Cracked Foundation Horizontally?
However you look at it, foundation crack repair isn’t cheap. The cost to fix a cracked foundation will vary depending on how long and wide your cracks are, what kind of repairs need to be made and whether or not your home is still under warranty. Generally speaking, homeowners can expect to pay around $4,702 to repair foundation issues. This fluctuates a lot depending on the size and location of the cracks. For example, if you have a small crack that’s less than an inch wide and located close to one corner of your house, it could cost as little as $1,000. If you have an 8-foot-long crack that spans from one corner of your house to another—and has broken through multiple layers—you could spend more than $10,000 repairing it. It all depends on how much damage has been done.
How Can I Fix a Crack in My Foundation Myself?
It’s certainly possible however most homeowners should avoid repairing foundations themselves. Save your time and money by avoiding do-it-yourself projects, especially when it comes to foundation repair in Springfield IL. You’re working with a very fragile system—if you make a mistake, you could end up making things worse.
Instead, call a professional foundation repair company to fix your crack. Although these services aren’t cheap, they’re far less expensive than rebuilding your entire home after you cause irreparable damage. The cost of fixing cracks in your home’s foundation depends on several factors, including: Your location as well as the size and depth of your crack.
How Can You Tell if a Crack Is Structural?
Some structural cracks are beyond repair, but many others are not. The best way to know if a crack is structural is to hire a professional to inspect it. A certified building inspector will be able to tell you if your crack is something that can be repaired or if it’s time for more serious repairs such as foundation replacement. He or she will also walk you through various methods and pricing, as well as recommend always hiring a foundation repair company not doing it themselves.
Although foundation cracks can be unsightly, most are not structural. Homeowners should have them inspected by a professional building inspector to determine whether they are simply cosmetic or if they pose a threat to their home. An inspection will reveal how much work it will take to repair your crack and recommend always hiring a foundation repair company not doing it themselves.
Can a House Collapse From Cracks?
Your home’s foundation—the structure that supports all of your flooring, walls, and ceilings—is especially important because it helps keep your home from falling down. Foundations usually take a pretty good beating over time. So, if you’re seeing cracks forming around windows or doors, you may want to address them ASAP—especially if you live in an area with a high risk for floods or earthquakes.
Yes, it can. If cracks are left untreated, they can grow larger and lead to bigger problems—such as foundation failure. This is a huge risk for older homes that don’t have solid footings or a strong footing base. For newer homes built on a slab foundation, cracks aren’t typically an issue, but it’s still important to protect your home from minor problems before they turn into major ones down the road.
