Are Foundation Cracks Normal? Hairline vs Horizontal vs Stair-Step

Almost every house has a few cracks. What matters is the direction, the width and whether the crack is growing.

Thin vertical hairline cracks

Thin, straight vertical cracks in a slab or concrete wall are common as concrete dries and shrinks. Keep an eye on them.

Diagram: a thin vertical hairline crack compared with a horizontal crack and a crack wider at one end — Diagram: a thin vertical hairline crack is usually shrinkage; horizontal cracks and cracks wider at one end are more serious.

Horizontal cracks

A horizontal crack in a foundation or basement wall can mean soil pressure is pushing on the wall. Have it checked.

Cracks wider at one end

A crack that is wider at the top or bottom shows that one part of the foundation has moved more than the other.

Stair-step cracks in brick

Cracks that zig-zag along the mortar joints usually mean the brick wall has moved.

Diagram: a stair-step crack following the mortar joints in a brick wall — Diagram: a stair-step crack follows the mortar joints in brick, often starting at a window or door corner.

Track any crack

Mark both ends with a pencil and the date, and measure the width every few weeks. A growing crack needs a professional. See crack repair.

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