Exterior Brick Cracks: When to Be Concerned

There you are, admiring the beauty of your brick home, when suddenly, you notice the unthinkable: cracks in your brick exterior. Should you panic? Does this mean your home is crumbling? Take a breath! It may not be a cause for concern, but even if it is, there are solutions to this problem.

Brick homes in Texas often suffer from cracks in the exterior. Why? There are a few different reasons. Brick is naturally prone to expanding, and this can cause small cracks sometimes. These small cracks aren’t usually a cause for concern, and even larger fractures needn’t worry you if they only affect a few bricks. Here’s what you need to know about when you should and shouldn’t worry about exterior brick cracks.

• Hairline cracks aren’t a problem. These tend to occur naturally in the mortar between bricks and concrete blocks.
• Cracks that are wider at the top than the bottom are worrisome. These types of cracks usually mean that your home’s foundation is moving, and it could be cracked. If you notice large cracks in your brick exterior or in your concrete slab foundation, especially if they’re wide at the top, call for a foundation assessment because your foundation probably needs repair.
• Stair-step cracks usually mean your foundation is settling. Cracks like this are common in the DFW metroplex because we have clay soil that is prone to expanding and contracting. Stair-step cracks can also be indicative of a moisture problem in the soil around your house. If the cracks are wider than ¼ inch in width or you notice bulging in your wall or foundation, it’s time to call for professional help.
• L-Shaped Cracks often occur because of the slope of your foundation. If your foundation is on a hillside or at an incline, and the soil around it shrinks, these cracks can be the result. It’s important to have them filled so they don’t allow moisture into the foundation.
• Horizontal cracks in the foundation are cause for alarm. These can happen if the soil around the house is extremely moist and then it freezes, expanding and putting pressure on the foundation. It can also happen when soil contains an abundance of clay, causing it to expand and contract excessively. If you notice these cracks, don’t hesitate to call for professional repair, because your foundation could begin to cave in on itself. A good foundation repair company can advise you on the repairs your foundation needs to keep your home safe and stable.

If you notice a lot of cracks and crevices on your exterior brick, or other signs of foundation damage like sticking doors and windows or wall cracks inside the house, call the foundation repair experts at Structured Foundation Repairs. Established in 2003, we’ve been building a foundation of trust ever since, providing foundation repair services to residents of North Texas. Our motto has always been “Do the Right Thing” and our professional staff faithfully adheres to that, which is why we now repair more homes annually than any other foundation repair company in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. For more information about our award-winning service or to schedule an appointment, call 972-349-4430 or contact us through our website.