We invest a great deal in our homes. We decorate and make aesthetic changes to improve its appearance. Yet our attention must also be put towards taking care of the integrity of our homes’ structure. For example, noticing cracks in your tiles and investigating the cause.
For safety reasons, it’s highly recommended to contact a reputable foundation repair company, like Granite Foundation Repair Inc., especially if you spot signs of foundation issues like cracked tiles. Luckily, whether it’s cracked tiles or other concerns, we offer an e-book on what to watch out for! You can find it here.
Meeting the concern head-on is a wise decision. Delayed time can be costly and could lead to expanding fractures that would strain your finances even more. If that’s not worrisome enough, other areas in your home could even fall apart.
Living in Texas cities, such as Dallas and Fort Worth, exposes you to this real danger. This is because the type of soil that properties rest on is clay soil. In fact, foundation issues because of clay soil are one of the ongoing property problems commonly found here. Thankfully, we have a guide on the questions that come with tile cracks and how they relate to foundation problems.
Why Am I Finding Tile Cracks?
A lot of reasons can point to tile cracks. However, if you see one too many in different areas of your home, then it could indicate a foundation issue. You will need to have a professional, like Granite Foundation Repair, inspect them for you to determine the exact cause. It’s best to stay on the side of caution in these cases and have them checked.
Should I Be Afraid of Cracked Tiles or Are They Normal?
Several causes can be linked to the cracking of tiles. It might be that installation was performed without a slip sheet. This can result in concrete slab cracks that extend to the tiles cracking. Other small mistakes when they were installed would also account for the cracks in the tiles.
Another source of cracks in tiles is soil movement. Excess moisture may have disturbed the foundation, causing it to shift. Lack of drainage can be the culprit to damaged foundations and continually wreak havoc on them.
What may initially start out as hairline cracks can quickly progress to larger cracks. Aside from ruining the aesthetic of your home, foundation repair may be needed to resolve the damage in your home.
What Types of Foundation Cracks Are Bad for My Home?
You may notice 2 types of cracks appearing on your walls. One type is vertical cracks that appear when the foundation settles. This kind is commonly found in homes. The other type is horizontal cracks which are more serious in nature. The cause may be due to soil pressure.
Granite Foundation Repair specializes in handling these types of foundation issues and can conduct the necessary inspections to trace the origin of the foundation problem and repair it.
When Should I Treat Foundation Cracks as a Serious Problem?
Since cracks can be normal in a recently-constructed home, there are signs to be wary of. One is when you notice that a crack has expanded in size on one end. If the crack is wider than a half-inch, then you can contact Granite Foundation Repair. We can inspect and assess the damage.
If you spot a horizontal crack as we mentioned above, then this can be a huge sign of a foundation issue and must be given immediate attention to prevent the structure from falling apart.
Is There a Way to Repair Hairline Cracks in Floor Tiles?
There are some simple methods that will help fix hairline cracks in your tile floors when you spot them. Here’s one solution:
- Put a clear epoxy resin if you find hairline cracks
- Allow several hours for the curing of the epoxy
- Find oil-based paint to match your ceramic tiles
- When the paint dries, apply layers of clear urethane on the tiles
- Every 2 years, reapply the urethane as needed
Is It Possible That a Cracked Tile Can Get Worse?
Damage around the home is normally expected. In fact, cracked tiles are not out of the ordinary. Tiles may grow weak from wear and tear, but they could also occur when strong force is applied to them. As time passes, small cracks in tiles will eventually progress to bigger cracks. As long as the cause is dismissed as not being foundation-related, this is simply part of owning a home with tiles.
What Are the Signs That a Crack Is a Structural Issue?
Here are some signs to be on the lookout for that will inform you of wall cracks attributed to structural problems:
- Be concerned when one side of the wall appears to be higher than the other side
- Be on the alert if the doors and windows become sticky and hard to open or close
- Be attentive when the cracks look wider than half a centimeter
- You can spot cracks appearing everywhere, such as the walls, windows, doorways or areas where walls intersect with ceilings
- Your door jams or does not latch
- You can see that cracks are appearing over the vinyl or ceramic tile concrete flooring
How Do Foundation Piers Eliminate Floor Cracks?
Installation of piers can provide a great deal of stability to your home. It can put an end to the problem of a sinking foundation. If you spot the signs of foundation issues, it’s best to contact Granite Foundation Repair Inc.
We can assess the foundation damage efficiently and inform you whether installing foundation piers will be necessary. We know the correct positioning of the piers, the exact location they will be placed and can determine the right number of piers to use for a solid foundation.
Tile cracks can be a sign of a foundation issue, but it can also just be a normal crack. So it’s best for us to do a professional inspection. That said, a lot of variables can also come into play since flooring can be damaged due to the type of soil, degree of moisture and weather conditions in your area.
Bottom Line
If you spot broken and uneven tiles or any of the signs of foundation problems mentioned above, call Granite Foundation Repair today at (214) 865 8609. We are professional experts in conducting foundation repair and creating drainage solutions in several key cities in Texas, including the Greater Dallas/Fort Worth area.
The post Foundation Problems and Cracked Tiles appeared first on Granite Foundation Repair.
