Building Crack Inspection Sydney: Save $$$ for Urgent Repairs

Hire EBC’s building crack inspection Sydney professional to check those cracks you see in your home.

It’s inevitable for some homeowners to see a crack on the walls of homes. This happens even for properties that aren’t built in an earthquake-prone area.

Wall cracks indicate major structural or foundation damage. But, these could also result from regular wear and tear or material ageing and nothing to worry about. 

So, how do you know if the crack is a great concern that needs to be dealt with immediately? When should you call a building crack inspection Sydney expert to fix the problem? Let’s briefly discuss.

8 Causes of Wall Cracks

Cracks appear on your walls for several reasons. Hence, it’s a good idea to know the actual cause before worrying about what to do with building crack inspection Sydney. There’s some complex science that explains what’s happening. But we will make it understandable here.

Walls of the House Shrink as the Building Ages

First, the walls of the house naturally shrink and settle as the building ages. Different materials do this at different rates; hence, you can expect cracks to appear over time.

Hairline Cracks Develop as the Concrete Cures

Second, some hairline cracks develop as the concrete cures (dries and loses most of the water that has been mixed with the cement). When building a house, the cement used from the structure is usually supported with restraints like partitions and piers, so it’s nearly impossible not to find a crack if this is the case.

The wall’s integrity could also depend on the degree of drying and tensile strength around the structure.

Cracks Appear Due to the Quality of the Cement Used

Third, the appearance of the cracks can also be due to the cement quality used to build the house. Finally, this can also be the result of environmental and seasonal conditions. For example, the cracks will show if the weather has been too damp or too hot in your area.

In some cases, the cracks can appear because of the actual design defects in the structure. For example, these might be caused by fractured masonry or construction problems, including improper pouring and laying down the cement that makes up the concrete.

Other causes for the cracks on your wall could be:

• An unstable fence is adjacent to your structure.
• A growing tree root near the wall. 
• The vibration coming from the road or air traffic
• A movement in the roof’s configuration that affects the ceiling
• The shrinking of the clay soils

Cracks don’t immediately mean there’s a problem with the stability and durability of the wall. However, it’s just right to ensure that these are just minimal flaws, if not non-existent.

3 Types of Wall Cracks

The shape and direction of the cracks on the wall may help determine the extent of the damage. Homeowners should know what these cracks indicate so you won’t be confused when discussing your options with a building crack inspection Sydney professional who will repair those issues.

Vertical Cracks

Vertical cracks can develop due to shrinkage. However, the cracks might widen as the structure’s foundation settles and the temperature in the area constantly changes. Vertical cracks may appear wide at the bottom show signs of movement in the foundation, which could mean a bigger problem.

Diagonal Cracks

Diagonal cracks look similar to the steps of a set of stairs. Their shape and direction show signs of wall expansion or shrinkage. Typically, the cracks develop when there’s a concentration of the stress at the structure’s corner where there’s a door or window.

Horizontal Cracks

Horizontal cracks can indicate shifting of the foundation and water damage. In addition, horizontal cracks can be signs of early failures in the structure as the retention and support slowly lose their strength.

Rainwater could penetrate the wall’s interior as well. So, consider this as another difficult problem that must be addressed as soon as possible.

When to Seek a Building Crack Inspection Sydney Professional?

It’s imperative to monitor the cracks on your walls, regardless of the extent of the damage. For example, if it’s a hairline crack and you have no plans of repairing it right away, you can mark the area with a pencil, including the measurements using a rule, and indicate the date when you first spotted the flaw. This information will be helpful to building crack inspection Sydney professionals you will hire to fix a problem.

However, you cannot postpone the repair of the crack that shows a more significant gap. Cracks that have over half an inch wide should be a cause for concern. Aside from gaps in the cracks, you should enlist a building crack inspection Sydney professional as soon as possible if:

• You cannot close the doors and windows properly because their frames have shifted along with the walls.
• One side of the structure is already higher than the other. 
• A noticeable slope on the floor.

Fixing the Cracks

Cracks that are a few millimetres are not a cause of concern. However, they aren’t often aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Therefore, you might want to patch them up and repaint the wall to cover the flaw.

Even if it’s a hairline crack, you might want to have still the site inspected by a building crack inspection Sydney professional before tackling the DIY repairs.

Wider cracks with a gap of about 15 millimetres might require remedial building work to stop the problem from worsening or recurring. You should seek the help of a building crack inspection Sydney expert to determine what could be causing the cracks so that any issues will be fixed.

However, severe cracks that are more than 25 millimetres wide will require extensive building work. This will involve the replacement of the wall section to prevent collapsing.

How Can Effective Building & Consultancy Help You with Cracks?

One of the worst news you’ll receive is when a building crack inspection Sydney professional will say that it’s too late to do minor touch-ups to the damage in your home. This is why it’s more practical to schedule annual building inspections as maintenance and preventive measure.

Our professional building expert, Elie Farah, will conduct a thorough assessment of your property’s condition. We will help you prepare a comprehensive building inspection report should you require repairs or want to prepare the property for renting or selling.

For more information about our building crack inspection Sydney services, visit our Help Centre.