Seeing the damage to your home is tough. If you suddenly spot a crack you’re sure wasn’t there before, it can feel like the world is crashing down around you. Don’t worry; We’ve all been there. There is a solution.
Most cracks are non-serious and easy to repair. Crack injection is a fast, affordable way to fix wall and floor damage. Knowing when to contact an expert lets you address problems before they become serious. An expert can help you choose the repair plan that suits you and your house.
What is crack injection?
Crack injection is an affordable way to stabilise a cracked wall or floor. It involves repairing the damage using a concrete solution. An expert may fill gaps with various substances depending on the situation.
An epoxy crack injection can bond any crack larger than 0.5mm and can be applied to a home’s exterior and interior. The goal of an epoxy crack injection is primarily to repair an area’s structural integrity and improve its water resistance. A quality epoxy crack injection should last for at least five years.
The different types of crack
The first step to assessing whether your wall needs to be urgently repaired is understanding whether a crack is structural or non-structural. Let’s look in more detail at the difference between the two types.
Non-structural cracks
Also known as cosmetic cracks, non-structural cracks may be visible, but they aren’t a serious threat to your home. They are typically small (less than 3mm wide) and follow little to no recognisable pattern.
Non-structural cracks are usually the result of internal pressure on building materials. They can form in response to several factors including, but not limited to:
- Temperature change.
- Inadequate concrete mixing.
- Poor weather conditions.
- Excess moisture.
- Hydrostatic pressure.
Just because a crack is non-structural doesn’t mean it should be ignored. Although the damage is non-threatening to your home in the short term, moisture may enlarge the gap over time, which is why it’s always wise to consider using a waterproof membrane to prevent water damage. Given enough time, a tiny crack can become very large, increasing the risk of severe damage. Epoxy crack injection provides a long-term, watertight solution that can prevent excess moisture from causing further damage to your property.
Structural cracks
Structural cracks can be destructive to your home and must be fixed quickly. Fortunately, they are easy to identify. Structural cracks are usually long and wide (more than 3mm in width) and can form vertically, horizontally, diagonally, or in a step formation.
Structural cracks can be caused by several factors, including:
- Poor soil conditions.
- Poorly compacted fill soil.
- Water drainage issues.
- Bad weather.
- Tree roots.
- Inadequate foundational planning.
- Vibrations from traffic or construction work.
As they usually indicate a serious foundation issue, structural cracks often accompany other unwelcome problems, such as stiff windows, sinking or uneven floors, and drywall cracking.
Structural cracks can be hazardous and should be assessed by an expert immediately. A professional can offer you the most cost-effective solution guaranteed to fix the problem for good.
How serious is the structural crack in my home?
Before deciding how to treat a problem, you must know how severe the damage is. In general, we can place structural cracks in six categories.
- Hairline cracks: less than 0.1mm (no repair required).
- Fine cracks: 0.1mm to 1mm (no repair required, should be monitored).
- Distinct cracks: 1.0mm to 5.0mm (simple repair required).
- Serious cracks: 5.0mm to 15.0mm (more complex repair; brickwork may need replacing).
- Severe cracks: 15.0mm to 25.0mm (extensive repair needed, entire walls replaced).
- Structural damage: 25mm or over (requires significant repair work, structure unstable).
When is it time to contact an expert?
If the crack in your home falls into category three or above, it’s time to contact an expert. DIY solutions are never the answer. They are impractical and usually only offer a temporary solution. Getting help from an expert guarantees that your solution will be long-lasting and effective.
Not all cracks are signs of a foundational problem, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. If the damage is a symptom of structural damage, it could require more extensive work. Look out for cracks that are:
- Long and horizontal.
- Long and vertical.
- Uneven floors and stiff windows.
Cracks like these indicate structural damage caused by external pressure or subsidence. In these cases, It may be necessary to supplement crack injection with slab jacking to level out the building’s foundation. Contacting an expert will help you find the most affordable long-term solution.
