Get matched with top foundation repair specialists in Williston, ND

Concrete can crack from general wear, improper installation, or in response to uneven support from the soil underneath. Small, thin cracks on the surface of aging concrete are usually a result of normal wear and tear, while cracks on new concrete more likely indicate a problem with installation. Larger cracks or uneven steps can signify a much more severe issue. A concrete contractor should be able to diagnose the cause and repair concrete cracks for you.

You can patch minor cracks and damage yourself using concrete fillers or mortar. Larger damage may require full replacement of affected slabs. However, water damage to your concrete will never disappear unless you address the root cause causing the water to cumulate. To prevent future damage, you can also waterproof your concrete.

Not all cracks in brick indicate foundation problems. For instance, small hairline cracks can occur as a new construction settles. However, larger cracks are often a sign of a more severe issue. Indicators of a potential foundation problem include long horizontal cracks, "stair-step" cracks, vertical cracks that appear indoors, or any crack that widens at the top. Other signs of structural damage to look for are uneven floors and doors or windows that stick. These issues could be caused by problems with the soil beneath the home or an overgrown tree.

Some foundation repairs are permanent, like underpinning and exterior drainage systems like the French drain. These fixes address the underlying problems—insufficient support from the soil and hydrostatic pressure on your foundation walls, respectively—so they can last for many decades, making them “lifetime fixes.” There are other solutions to address these issues that will last for up to a decade, making them temporary. These include slabjacking to raise concrete slabs back into place and dampproofing to reduce the water in the soil that interacts with the concrete foundation.