How To Fix Cracked Foundation In Basement?

Homeowners around Morganton, NC see foundation cracks for simple reasons: red clay soils that shrink in drought and swell after a week of rain, poor surface drainage near older homes, and aging block walls that were never waterproofed from the outside. A hairline crack can be harmless. A widening stair-step crack with dampness is a different story. Knowing which is which saves money and keeps the house safe.

This guide explains what a homeowner can do, what a professional should handle, and how repair methods differ for poured concrete versus block walls. It reflects local conditions across Morganton, Glen Alpine, Salem, and Drexel, and it points to the signs that mean it is time to call Functional Foundations for basement foundation repair near me.

First, identify the crack type

A quick inspection sets the course. Clean the area with a dry brush and a flashlight. Note the crack direction, width, and any moisture.

Vertical cracks in poured concrete often form within the first few years and usually result from normal shrinkage. If they are tight and dry, they are often manageable. Horizontal cracks in block or poured walls typically mean soil pressure is pushing inward. Stair-step cracks along mortar joints in block walls usually indicate differential settlement or lateral pressure. Map cracks that branch in several directions can signal settlement or poor drainage. Cracks with efflorescence (white powder) or damp edges point to water intrusion.

Measure width with a coin. A dime is about 1.35 mm thick. Anything near that thickness or wider needs expert attention, especially if the crack grows over a month.

Safety and structure: when a crack is more than cosmetic

Certain patterns demand a professional assessment. A horizontal crack at mid-height on a basement wall, bowing inward more than 1/2 inch over an 8-foot run, suggests lateral soil pressure. A stair-step crack that is wider at one end than the other suggests one corner of the foundation is sinking. Doors sticking, new trim gaps, or uneven floors above the basement reinforce that something is moving. Water entry along a crack during storms adds risk for mold and wood rot.

In these cases, a contractor should evaluate the wall, soil, and drainage before any patching. Plugging a leak without addressing pressure or settlement is a short-lived fix.

Poured concrete wall cracks: common fixes

For tight, dry hairline vertical cracks, an interior surface repair can keep dust down and improve appearance. A low-viscosity epoxy paste is stronger than the concrete itself, but it does not seal against water unless injected. For dry cosmetic cracks under 1/16 inch, a surface epoxy paste or polyurethane concrete crack sealant can work.

If the crack leaks or may leak, injection is the reliable solution. Technicians attach surface ports and apply a temporary paste over the crack. They inject either epoxy, which bonds the wall and restores tensile strength, or polyurethane foam, which expands and seals against water. Epoxy suits stable cracks where structural integrity matters. Polyurethane fits active or damp cracks because it can flex with minor movement. Most basement injection jobs take a few hours and cure within a day, and they can be done from the interior without excavation.

For severe structural cracks combined with settlement, wall stabilization may be necessary before or along with injection. The right approach depends on the cause.

Block wall cracks: different wall, different tactics

Concrete best foundation repair for bowing walls Functional Foundations block walls behave differently. Mortar joints produce stair-step cracks, and hollow cores limit the effectiveness of simple surface repairs. When pressure from wet clay pushes inward, the wall can bow between supports.

Reinforcement solutions include carbon fiber straps, wall plate anchors, and helical tiebacks. Carbon fiber straps bond to the interior face to prevent further movement when the wall is within certain deflection limits, typically under about 2 inches of bow over an 8-foot span. Plate anchors link the wall to buried earth plates in the yard, which are tightened to stabilize and, in some cases, incrementally straighten the wall. Helical tiebacks screw into stable soil from the inside and anchor with interior plates. For block walls with significant displacement or ongoing soil pressure, these methods outperform patching.

If water comes through block walls, exterior waterproofing with a drainage system stops the source. Interior drainage with a sump can also relieve hydrostatic pressure when excavation is impractical along property lines in central Morganton or tight lots near Valdese.

Do-it-yourself patch or professional repair?

A homeowner can handle simple, non-leaking hairline cracks. Clean the area, chase the crack slightly with a cold chisel, vacuum dust, and use a polyurethane concrete sealant rated for foundation cracks. Allow curing as directed and monitor over six to eight weeks. If the crack stays stable and dry through a heavy rain week, the fix likely holds.

If the crack leaks, widens, or forms a horizontal or stair-step pattern, call a specialist. DIY hydraulic cement often fails over time because it is rigid and cannot flex with seasonal movement. It can also trap water in the wall. Quick patches make later professional injections harder.

Drainage and grading: the silent cause in Morganton soils

Clay soils around Morganton shrink and swell with moisture changes. Surface water against the foundation increases lateral pressure and feeds leaks. Improving drainage solves many crack problems at the source. Extend downspouts 8 to 10 feet away from the house. Create a 5 percent slope away from the foundation for at least 6 feet, which is roughly a 3.5 to 4-inch drop. Keep flower beds and mulch below the siding. Check that driveway edges and walkways are not channeling water toward the foundation. These simple changes reduce basement wall stress and improve the lifespan of any repair.

In older neighborhoods near Green Street and Amherst Road, short downspout stubs and flat yards are common. Correcting those often helps as much as any interior fix.

When settlement drives cracking

Cracks that widen toward the top or bottom, gaps at window frames, and sloping floors hint at settlement. Soil washout, old fill, or weak bearing soils can cause movement. Solutions include helical piers, push piers, and slab piers to transfer load to deeper, competent strata. Pier spacing and type depend on footing size, soil reports, and observable deflection. A typical pier installation involves small excavations along the footing, hydraulic installation, and bracket attachment. The crew may lift to recover some elevation or stabilize at current height to stop future movement.

Choosing piering without addressing water management is short-sighted. Good contractors inspect downspouts, slopes, and sump performance as part of any settlement plan.

Waterproofing and crack repair work together

For basements with recurring leaks through cracks and cold joints, an interior drainage system with a perimeter channel and sump pump provides a controlled path for water. Combine that with crack injection so the wall itself stays dry. Where access allows, exterior excavation with membrane waterproofing and footing drains provides the most direct protection. In Morganton, tree roots, property line setbacks, and rock near the surface can make full excavation difficult; a hybrid plan is often the most practical.

Costs homeowners can expect

Ballpark figures help with planning. Interior crack injection for a single crack can range from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand depending on length, access, and material. Carbon fiber reinforcement typically ranges by strap count and wall length. Wall anchors and tiebacks involve more labor and yard work, so costs increase accordingly. Piering is the most significant, with prices per pier based on depth and load. A site visit and measurement-based proposal gives a clear number and reduces change orders.

What a local visit looks like

A proper assessment takes 60 to 90 minutes. The inspector checks exterior grading and downspouts first, then measures wall plumb with a laser or plumb bob, photographs crack patterns, and notes moisture with a pin or pinless meter. For block walls, they look for mortar shear and core moisture. They explain options with pros and cons. For example, epoxy injection restores strength in a poured wall crack but requires dry conditions; polyurethane injection seals leaks with slight movement tolerance. Carbon fiber is low profile and fast but not suitable for heavily bowed walls. Anchors can adjust over time but need yard access and space clear of utilities.

Clear documentation and phased plans are valuable. Many Morganton homeowners start with drainage improvements and crack injection, then add reinforcement if monitoring shows continued movement.

Simple monitoring that saves money

Place a dated piece of painter’s tape across the crack and mark the width. Snap a photo next to a ruler each month for three months, especially through wet and dry spells. Note any water after storms. If the width grows by more than 1/16 inch, or if dampness persists 48 hours after rain stops, schedule a professional evaluation.

Why choose a nearby specialist

Searching basement foundation repair near me should produce a team that knows Burke County soils, frequent rain patterns off the Blue Ridge, and the permitting details for exterior work. Local crews arrive faster after storms, source materials quickly, and can return for adjustments to anchors or sump settings. More important, they recommend solutions that fit Morganton lots, not generic fixes copied from other regions.

Ready for a straightforward plan?

Functional Foundations helps Morganton homeowners stop leaks, stabilize walls, and protect property value. The team handles crack injection, carbon fiber reinforcement, wall anchors, piering, drainage corrections, and sump systems. Most repairs take a day or two, and the crew keeps basements clean and usable during the work.

If a crack worries you, or if a musty corner has stayed damp since last summer, request a free on-site assessment. Mention your street or neighborhood so scheduling can group nearby visits in Morganton, Salem, Drexel, or Glen Alpine. A short visit now can prevent a larger repair later, and you will get a clear scope, clear price, and a plan that fits the house and the soil under it.