Understanding Brick Cracks: Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

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Seeing cracks in your bricks can raise alarm bells–and with good reason. While some cracks are just cosmetic, others might signal more significant problems with your foundation. Thanks to the challenging climate, homeowners in places like Southern California, Arizona, and Nevada often have to deal with cracked brick wall repair.

At Dalinghaus Construction, we’ve seen it all when it comes to brick damage. Knowing when to worry about these cracks can help you avoid costly repairs in the future, so let’s help you distinguish between harmless cracks and those that require professional attention.

What Causes Bricks To Crack?

Before diving into which cracks to worry about, it’s essential to understand why bricks crack in the first place. Here are some common causes:

  1. Settling and Shifting: As buildings like your home settle over time, slight shifts in the foundation can cause bricks to crack. This is common and often only a major concern if the settling is uneven.
  2. Thermal Expansion and Contraction: Temperature fluctuations cause your housing materials to expand and contract. This can lead to cracking in the hot, dry climates of Southern California, Arizona, and Nevada.
  3. Moisture Damage: Water can seep into bricks and mortar, causing them to weaken and crack over time. This is particularly troubling if there are issues with drainage around your home and you notice soil pulling away from your foundation.
  4. Poor Construction Practices: Sometimes, cracks result from poor previous work or substandard materials used during construction. This includes improper mortar mixing, inadequate support, or insufficient expansion joints.
  5. Seismic Activity: In earthquake-prone areas like Southern California, seismic activity can cause sudden and significant cracks in brick structures.

What Causes Bricks to Crack

From Hairline to Hazard: What Your Brick Cracks Are Telling You

Depending on the age of your home, some cracks that look threatening could be pretty innocent. But of course, you don’t want to take any chances. Here are five of the most common cracks you will encounter and when to be concerned.

Hairline Cracks

Hairline cracks are thin, barely visible cracks, often less than 1/16 inch wide. Usually caused by minor settling, changes in temperature over time, or material shrinkage, they’re not a cause for alarm. These can be fixed easily with silicone sealant on a free weekend afternoon.

Vertical Cracks

Vertical cracks are just as they sound–they run up and down in a straight line. Often, vertical cracks appear when your home’s foundation settles, or there are minor shifts over time. Less concerning than horizontal cracks, you should have them inspected if you see they’re wider than ¼ inch and getting more prominent with time.

Stair-step Cracks

Stair-step cracks follow the mortar joints in a classic staircase pattern, commonly brought on by one part of the foundation settling at a different rate than another. If you notice stair-step cracks, you should get a foundation inspection soon because they’re almost always a sign of foundation movement.

Diagonal Cracks

Diagonal cracks can run through both the bricks and their mortar and usually indicate settlement or structural shifting–often brought on by earthquakes or other seismic activity in the Southern California and Nevada regions. These can be serious, especially when they extend from the brick to the foundation. Your best bet is to have your home evaluated as soon as possible to avoid a more costly repair situation in the future.

Horizontal Cracks

Horizontal cracks are serious, indicating your home’s foundation is shifting and there’s a potential for structural failure. Seeing horizontal cracks in your brick wall means the soil under your foundation is destabilizing. This is when you should call in the professionals at Dalinghaus immediately.

Horizontal cracks are serious, indicating your home’s foundation is shifting and there’s a potential for structural failure.

How You Can Prevent Brick Cracks Getting Worse

As we’ve seen, some cracks in your bricks will simply happen, especially as your house ages and goes through year after year of extreme weather conditions. But there are some things you can do to keep them under control.

  • Control Moisture Levels: Bricks can be very absorbent. Controlling moisture levels around your home can prevent the expansion and contraction of your bricks and mortar in regions with high temperatures, such as Southern California, Arizona, and Nevada. Monitor your home’s airflow, especially in rooms that generate a lot of moisture, like bathrooms or laundry rooms.
  • Maintain Proper Drainage: Ensure your home has adequate drainage on all sides to prevent water from seeping into the foundation and causing damage. This can be accomplished with a perforated drain pipe covered in gravel and topped off with soil to direct water away from the foundation.
  • Pay Attention: Whether it’s every quarter, every month, or even after every bad storm, regularly inspect your brickwork for signs of cracks and address them early. Also, make sure that any construction or repairs you do on your home are done by reputable professionals using high-quality materials.

When It’s Time To Call In The Professionals

While some brick cracks are harmless eyesores that can be fixed with some DIY repair, others signal more severe problems. Rely on the experts when it comes to these red flags.

  • Cracks Wider Than 1/4 Inch: Any crack wider than 1/4 inch, especially if it’s growing, should be inspected. If you’re unsure, always err on the side of safety and get the cracks evaluated.
  • Cracks That Let Water In: If you notice puddling or standing water in your home, it could indicate a more severe structural issue. New mortar or even new bricks might be the solution here.
  • Multiple Cracks: If you notice several cracks in different areas, this could indicate a systemic issue with your home’s foundation or structure. Addressing these quickly could potentially save you a fortune in repair work.
  • Cracks Accompanied by Other Issues: If you see cracks and other problems like sticking doors and windows, sloping floors, or gaps around window frames, it’s a sign of potential structural issues and needs an evaluation ASAP.
  • Sudden Appearance: Cracks that appear suddenly, especially after seismic activity or severe weather, should be evaluated by a construction company that specializes in cracked brick wall repair to determine their severity. Also, make sure to review your homeowner’s insurance policy when dealing with natural events.

Rely On The Experts At Dalinghaus Construction

At Dalinghaus Construction, we specialize in foundation repair and construction services–but our specialty is helping people. We are homeowners, too, so we know how important it is to feel educated and involved in the entire process.

Our expertise is tailored to the unique needs of homes in Southern California, Arizona, and Nevada. Our team of experts can assess the severity of brick cracks and provide the best solutions to ensure your home’s structural integrity.

  • Thorough Inspections: Our professionals conduct comprehensive inspections to identify the root cause of brick cracks and determine the best course of action, keeping your budget in mind.
  • Foundation Repair: We offer a range of foundation repair services, including piering systems, polyurethane foam injections, and more, to address underlying issues causing brick cracks and other foundation issues.
  • Seismic Retrofitting: We provide seismic retrofitting services for homes in earthquake-prone areas to enhance your home’s resistance to seismic activity.
  • Waterproofing: We offer waterproofing solutions tailored to your home’s needs to prevent water damage and moisture-related cracks.
  • Quality Workmanship: Our team is committed to using high-quality materials and adhering to the industry’s highest standards to ensure lasting repairs. We take great pride in breaking the contractor stereotype.

Cracks in your brickwork can be worrying, but not all cracks are a sign of serious trouble. Understanding the different types of cracks and knowing when to call a professional can protect your home from significant damage. Regular maintenance, proper drainage, and professional inspections are crucial to keeping your brickwork in top shape.

If you’re concerned about cracks in your brickwork, don’t hesitate to contact Dalinghaus Construction. Our experienced team is here to help you keep your home safe for you and your loved ones, now and for years to come. Schedule your free evaluation today!

WRITTEN BY
Brian is one of the Co-Founders of Dalinghaus Construction. He has been in the foundation repair industry since 2005. During his career, he has been associated with helping over 4,000 homes and structures throughout California and Arizona.

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