Cracks can form in masonry walls simply because of shrinkage and/or expansion/contraction of the walls. It is nearly impossible to prevent small cracks from forming in concrete masonry walls, as cracks occur naturally due to cement hydration shrinkage, which is a natural reduction in volume due to loss of water while curing/hardening. For example, a… Continue Reading
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Damp Crawl Spaces
Naturally, poor exterior drainage conditions and/or plumbing leaks can lead to wetness in a crawl space under a house, but a lesser known problem is dampness caused by rising ground moisture and by humidity from foundation ventilation. Although building codes have required ventilation of crawl spaces in the past, these requirements were not… Continue Reading
Basement Wall Failure
Cracked and bowed or bulging basement walls are a relatively common problem in residential and commercial buildings. The first sign of damage is usually the formation of horizontal cracks. These cracks represent some amount of inward movement due to soil pressure. Although the cracks can initially be hairline size and may not appear to be… Continue Reading
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