Why Are There Cracks in my Basement Floor?

There are many potential causes of cracking in a basement floor, but they all really boil down to the same thing—excessive pressure concentrated in the wrong places. Whether this pressure is applied by the soil under a home, by water, or by an external force, the result is the same—cracking and dampness.  

• Hydrostatic Pressure   

The soil surrounding your foundation is susceptible to absorbing a lot of water over the years, whether this be through excessive rainfall, storms, or underground water sources. This can cause immense hydrostatic pressure against the walls of your basement and your property foundation can cause cracks to form and widen. In turn, this damage can spread out to other parts of your home and negatively affect them as well.  

There is yet another form of hydrostatic pressure that can affect your foundation and basement. Water can easily become trapped in the pores of the concrete foundation. When winter comes, this water will easily freeze over, and the expanding ice can also cause your foundation to crack from within.  

• Tree Root Invasion   

Tree roots can be shockingly destructive when they start interfering with a property’s structure. It will not matter if the tree you have in your yard is large or small. Tree roots of any size tree will present a problem the longer they are left to spread out and grow if you do not take steps to control that growth.  

If a tree root makes its way under your foundation, it can cause it to heave upwards and crack your foundation and basement floor from below. You may even find that the tree roots will grow through the cracks they made and wreck your foundation even more. Once this happens, you might find other structures in your home slowly deteriorating over time, too. This is why you need to call the foundation experts at Innovative Basement Authority for repairs as soon as you notice any cracks along your basement.