Bearing Capacity

• The term used in construction engineering to describe the solidity of soil is bearing capacity. This is a measurement of the soil’s ability to withstand the load of a structure and the effects that water and temperature have on the soil. Settlement and expansion are inherent characteristics of soil and are caused by the seasonal cooling and warming of the ground as well as hydrostatic pressure, which is the force that groundwater exerts as it moves naturally through the soil. Clay-based soil is the most troublesome type of soil in this regard, but all soils react to these forces. Consequently, all homes are affected in some way, but not all exhibit recurrent wall cracks.
  
  

Foundation Settlement

• Soil bearing capacity is one consideration for foundation settlement. Another engineering method looks at differential settlement. This consists of understanding the variations in settlement at different points within a foundation footprint. The force that a home, along with its occupants and their belongings, exerts onto the soil extends several feet below the home’s foundation. Any variables in soil quality on the lot, such as different types of soil or decomposed organic matter, will place stress in different areas of the foundation, leading to uneven foundation settlement and recurrent wall cracks.
  
  

Plaster and Drywall Cracks

• Plaster and drywall are arguably the easiest to repair when it comes to wall cracks. The majority of recurrent wall cracks occur around doorways and windows, but central walls also exhibit signs of stress, especially when there is foundation settlement or the expansion and contraction of wood wall framing caused by humidity and temperature changes. Repair of these cracks entails the use of patching compound and mesh wall tape.
  
  

Concrete Walls

• Recurrent wall cracks in walls made from concrete tend to be more difficult to repair. Concrete walls are also problematic because they are frequently within your home’s foundation, including stem walls and basement walls. This often results in groundwater working its way through the walls, leading to more problems. Repair of concrete walls is best performed using epoxy sealer as opposed to masonry patching compounds, which are reliable crack fillers but will break down when recurrent wall cracks are the problem. Epoxy sealer is a liquid-based mixture that allows for expansion and contraction, and it is more resistant to water intrusion.