Not All Cracks Are the Same
Hairline cracks in a foundation wall are common — concrete shrinks as it cures, and some minor cracking is normal. But some cracks are signs of real trouble: water intrusion, structural movement, or soil pressure that’s getting worse over time. Telling the difference is a job for an experienced professional, and it’s the first thing we do during a free inspection.
Types of Foundation Cracks
Vertical cracks. Usually caused by shrinkage or minor settlement. Often repairable from the inside with professional injection.
Diagonal cracks. Typically indicate differential settlement — one section of the foundation is moving differently than another. These deserve a closer look.
Horizontal cracks. The most concerning. Horizontal cracking usually means lateral soil pressure — common in clay soil regions like ours, where soil swells when wet and pushes against the wall. These need professional evaluation promptly.
Stair-step cracks. Follow the mortar joints in block or brick foundations. They can indicate settlement or pressure issues and should be inspected.
Leaking cracks. Any crack that lets water in needs sealing, regardless of its shape — water weakens concrete and masonry over time.
How We Repair Cracks
For most non-structural cracks, we use polyurethane or epoxy injection — the industry standard for permanent crack repair:
- We clean and prepare the crack surface.
- Injection ports are placed along the crack.
- Polyurethane or epoxy is injected under pressure, filling the crack all the way through the wall — not just at the surface.
- The material cures into a flexible, watertight seal that moves with the foundation.
Unlike surface patches or hydraulic cement, injection seals the crack through the full thickness of the wall, so water can’t work its way in behind the repair. The job typically takes a few hours and there’s no excavation. Ask about warranty options during your free estimate.
Structural cracks — bowing walls, significant displacement, or settlement — may require additional work such as wall reinforcement. If that’s the case, we’ll tell you honestly during your free estimate.
When to Call Immediately
- A crack is letting water into your basement
- A crack is widening — mark the ends with a pencil and check monthly
- Horizontal cracking or a wall that’s bowing inward
- Cracks wider than about a quarter inch
- Doors or windows sticking near a cracked foundation wall
Foundation problems don’t stabilize on their own. Freeze-thaw cycles and wet clay soil keep working on cracks year after year, and small repairs are always cheaper than big ones.
What Repair Costs
Simple injection repairs are among the most affordable foundation work you can have done. Cost depends on the number of cracks, their length, and whether they’re structural or non-structural. Call (708) 665-4874 for a free inspection and an itemized written quote — you’ll know exactly what the repair involves before we begin.
Warranty Options
Warranty options are explained during your free estimate — ask what’s covered before any work begins.
Can You Fix a Foundation Crack Yourself?
Hardware-store hydraulic cement and surface sealants can stop a drip temporarily, but they only cover the surface — water keeps working behind the patch until it fails again. Professional injection fills the crack through the full thickness of the wall and bonds with the concrete, which is why it holds for the long term. For a structural crack, DIY isn’t just ineffective — it’s risky. A free professional inspection costs nothing and tells you exactly what you’re dealing with.
Fix the Crack Before It Fixes Your Plans
A small crack today is a big repair tomorrow. Call (708) 665-4874 for a free foundation inspection in Joliet and throughout the southwest Chicago suburbs. Free estimates, honest answers, and repairs that hold.