It can be quite unsettling to discover a crack in the wall or foundation of your basement.
The good news is that a crack doesn’t necessarily mean that your foundation is failing.
Concrete can crack as homes age and materials expand, contract, or settle. However, certain cracks can also indicate water intrusion, soil pressure, foundation movement, or structural problems.
The important question is not simply: “Is there a crack?”
It is: “Why did this crack form, and is the foundation continuing to move?”
There are a number of indications that a foundation crack should be examined more closely.
The Crack Is Getting Wider
One of the most useful things a homeowner can do is watch whether a crack changes.
A crack that stays the same for many years is different from one that grows longer or wider over months.
You should pay particular attention when:
- The crack is actively widening
- New cracks begin appearing nearby
- The crack extends into other parts of the wall
- The surrounding concrete appears to be moving
Take photographs periodically so you have something to compare against later.
If the crack is worsening, it is better to arrange for a professional Foundation Repair inspection rather than waiting for the movement to become more apparent.
The Crack Runs Horizontally Across the Wall
Horizontal cracking should be considered because it may be linked to pressure against a basement wall.
Soil surrounding the foundation can hold significant moisture, particularly during wet periods. That pressure can cause basement walls to crack, bend, or shift inward.
Watch for:
- A horizontal crack extending across the wall
- The center of the wall appearing farther inward than the top or bottom
- Separation between blocks
- Doors or windows becoming harder to operate
- Multiple cracks appearing along the same wall
When movement is involved, simply repairing the visible crack may not address the underlying structural issue.
The page on bowing or leaning basement wall repairs gives more information about walls that are showing inward movement.
The Wall Appears to Be Bowing or Leaning
Sometimes the crack itself is only one symptom.
Stand a few feet from the basement wall and look along its surface.
Does it appear straight?
A wall that curves inward, leans, or has shifted at the top may indicate that outside pressure is affecting the structure.
Other signs can include:
- Horizontal cracking
- Stair-step cracking
- Separation at corners
- Walls moving away from framing
- Cracking concentrated near the middle of the wall
Before applying a patch, the conditions should be looked at.
Water Comes Through the Crack
A foundation crack can also become a pathway for moisture.
You may notice:
- Dampness around the crack
- Water appearing after rain
- Mineral deposits on the wall
- Discoloration
- Peeling paint
- Musty odors nearby
In this situation, there may be two questions to answer:
- Why did the foundation crack?
- Why is water collecting around the foundation?
If you only attend to one of them the other will still not be dealt with.
Our resources on Foundation Crack Repair and Basement Waterproofing provide more detail on these problems.
Cracks Are Appearing Elsewhere in the Home
Foundation movement is not always visible only in the basement.
Changes throughout the home may provide additional clues.
Pay attention to:
- Cracks above doors or windows
- Drywall cracks that repeatedly return
- Doors that stick
- Windows are becoming difficult to open
- Gaps between walls and ceilings
- Uneven or sloping floors
The presence of one of these symptoms alone doesn’t immediately indicate a serious structural issue.
In fact, when a number of them appear together, the inspection becomes more worthwhile.
Your Floors Are Becoming Uneven
If floors slope, bounce, or feel uneven, there may be movement beneath the home.
If floors begin to slope, bounce, or feel uneven, there may be movement beneath the home.
Depending on the cause, the issue could involve:
- Foundation settlement
- Crawl space supports
- Floor framing
- Moisture damage
- Structural movement
In such cases, identifying the source is more important than choosing a repair based on a single visible symptom.
Stair-Step Cracks Are Developing
In block or brick foundations, cracking may follow mortar joints in a stair-step pattern.
These cracks can develop for different reasons, including settlement and movement.
Look for changes such as:
- Increasing crack width
- Separation around blocks or bricks
- Movement near doors or windows
- Portions of the wall are becoming uneven
If you see stair-step cracking that appears to be progressing, it is worth having the foundation evaluated.
What causes foundation cracks in houses in Michigan?
Foundation cracks can develop for many reasons.
Common contributing factors include:
- Soil movement
- Seasonal moisture changes
- Poor drainage
- Groundwater
- Foundation settlement
- Pressure against basement walls
- Normal material shrinkage
Michigan’s seasonal weather causes houses to undergo several changes in moisture and temperature throughout the year.
That does not mean every crack is an emergency.
What this means is that it is more useful to understand the cause than to just cover the crack.
Can You Just Seal a Foundation Crack?
Sometimes sealing a crack is appropriate.
Sometimes it is not.
If a crack is simply providing a path for moisture and the structure is stable, crack repair may be sufficient.
Sealing the surface will not fix the movement that caused the crack, whether from wall shifting or foundation sinking.
Depending on the diagnosis, repairs may involve systems such as:
- Foundation crack repair
- Wall stabilization
- Bowing wall repair
- Drainage improvements
- Helical piers
- Push piers
The appropriate course of action will depend on what the foundation is actually doing.
Our page on Helical Piers and Push Piers explains how pier systems can stabilize foundations experiencing settlement.
When Should You Schedule a Foundation Inspection?
Consider having the foundation inspected when:
- A crack continues growing
- You see horizontal cracking
- A basement wall appears bowed
- Water repeatedly enters through a crack
- Floors are becoming uneven
- Doors or windows suddenly stick
- Several structural warning signs appear together
- You simply do not know whether the crack is serious
An inspection will help you distinguish between cosmetic issues and problems that need repair.
Get Answers Before the Problem Progresses
Seeing a foundation crack does not automatically mean your home needs a major repair.
But guessing is not a good long-term strategy.
Foundation Solutions 360 provides free foundation inspections for Michigan homeowners. Our team can evaluate the crack, look for related signs of movement, and explain what may be causing the problem.
Even if repairs are advised, homeowners may look into the available Financing options before deciding on the next steps.
Concerned About a Foundation Crack?
For more information on Foundation Repair and Foundation Crack Repair, or to arrange a free inspection with Foundation Solutions 360 so that you can get a better understanding of what is going on with your home.