Foundation Crack Repair in Lexington, KY

Cracks Lexington homeowners call about

• "There is a crack in the basement wall, and water comes in when it rains."
• "The crack keeps getting longer."
• "The crack is wider at the top than the bottom."
• "There is a long crack running sideways across the block wall."
• "The brick outside has a stair-step crack."
• "There is a crack in the garage floor that is getting wider."
• "The drywall above the doors keeps cracking."

What different cracks tell you

Thin vertical cracks

These are the most common. Poured concrete shrinks as it cures. A thin, straight up-and-down crack is often just that. It matters if it leaks or grows.

Wide or tapered cracks

A crack that is wider at one end can mean one part of the foundation is moving. It is worth an inspection.

Sideways cracks in block

A long crack running sideways across a block wall often means soil is pushing the wall in. That needs more than sealing. See wall anchors.

Stair-step cracks

Cracks that follow the mortar joints in brick or block look like stairs. They often point to a corner that is settling.

Cracks in old stone walls

Older homes near downtown often have stone or brick basements. Cracked or crumbling mortar can be repointed. The inspector looks for loose stones and leaks.

Cracks by the age of the house

Historic homes. Stone and brick basements near downtown crack along the mortar. Old lime mortar wears soft over time. Water gets in at the joints. The fix is often new mortar and a drain, not epoxy.

Postwar ranches. Block basements from the 1950s to the 1970s tend to crack in a stair-step line or sideways near the middle. A sideways crack is the one to watch. It can mean the wall is starting to bow.

Newer homes. Poured walls often get thin vertical cracks in the first few years. Most are from shrinkage. They matter when they leak or get wider. Many builders cover early cracks under a warranty, so check your papers first.

When a crack is an emergency

Call right away if a crack opened fast, if water is pouring in, or if the wall next to the crack has moved. Also call if a hole opened in the yard near the cracked wall. In Lexington, soil can wash down into the rock below. A fast change near a crack is worth a same-week look.

Why cracks happen in Lexington

The clay around Lexington homes swells and shrinks with the weather. That puts stress on concrete and block. Water in the ground pushes on walls. Under the clay is limestone with gaps in it. When soil shifts into those gaps, part of a footing can drop a little.

A crack is the house showing you where the stress is. Sealing it stops the water. Finding the cause stops it from coming back.

How cracks get fixed

Epoxy or foam injection

The crew fills the crack from inside. Epoxy bonds the wall back together. Foam seals out water and flexes a little. This is the most common fix for a leaking crack in a poured wall.

Outside sealing

For some cracks, the crew digs down outside and seals the crack from that side. This costs more.

Carbon fiber straps

Strips of carbon fiber are glued across a crack to stop it from opening further. They are used when a wall has moved a little.

Fixing the cause

If a corner is settling, piers may be needed. If water is the cause, drainage comes first. A good crew fixes the crack and the cause.

What it costs

The cost table on this page shows typical ranges from the Fixr cost guides, not a quote.

One crack is a small job. Several cracks, cracks that need digging outside, or a wall that also needs bracing cost more. Your written estimate spells out the plan.

How to track a crack

1. Mark both ends of the crack with a pencil.
2. Write the date next to each mark.
3. Measure the width with a ruler or coin.
4. Take a photo with something for scale.
5. Check again after a few weeks of wet weather.

If the crack grows, call (859) 681-6936 for a free inspection.

What a good inspection covers

• A look at every crack, inside and out.
• A check for leaks, stains and white crust.
• A check of the wall for bowing or leaning.
• A look at floors and doors for signs of settling.
• A check of gutters, downspouts and yard slope.
• A written plan that shows the fix and the price.

Call (859) 681-6936 or send the short form to book a free crack inspection.