Does this concrete crack need immediate repair?
Deciding whether a concrete crack needs professional attention depends on its location, size, and whether it shows signs of water intrusion or movement. Without knowing these indicators, homeowners are left guessing whether to use a DIY fix like epoxy or pay for an expert inspection.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
Does this concrete crack need immediate repair?
- 1monitoring the crack every couple of months for gaps or vertical movementDid this help you?
- 2hiring an independent engineer to evaluate the structureDid this help you?
- 3shooting epoxy into the cracksDid this help you?
- 4pressure washing algaeDid this help you?
- 5having the foundation diagnosed by a professionalDid this help you?
- 6waiting a year to see if movement stops after fixing drainageDid this help you?
- 7hiring a structural engineer for an independent assessment before getting repair quotesDid this help you?
- 8repointing the brickwork instead of installing piersDid this help you?
- 9Hiring an independent structural engineer rather than a foundation salesperson for an unbiased assessment.Did this help you?
- 10Sealing smaller, hairline cracks with a flexible concrete caulk to keep out water and bugs.Did this help you?
- 11Check if the crack is unusually wide, continually growing, or if the two sides are at different heights.Did this help you?
- 12Measure displacement and check for heaves to see if leveling is needed.Did this help you?
- 13Apply self leveling polyurethane sealant.Did this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Recently a water pipe in my house’s slab burst. After the water damage restoration company removed the flooring and exposed the foundation, I found many cracks in the foundation. Are these cracks a problem? Do I need to do anything about them?”source ↗
“We've lived here for about 7 years and there have always been cracks in the garage floor, but I've noticed more recently and some have an elevated lip or edge.”source ↗
“- What should I be concerned about? - Who should I have assess this?”source ↗
“Please I don’t know what any of this shit is and I’m fucking scared”source ↗
“How concerning does this crack look in my crawl space? Does this need immediate attention?”source ↗
“How bad is this? Again it’s on our garage that’s just a slab, not our crawlspace foundation of the main house it’s attached to.”source ↗
“Single story home, slab foundation with cinderblock perimeter. There aren't any cracks creeping up the brick, but wondering if it is worth shooting some epoxy in there.”source ↗
“I've only been in this house for about a year and a half, but when it rains for a long period water does encroach from the back of the backyard. There is a camphor tree about 5 ft. from the corner of the house too. If I call someone to look at it, what remedy might they recommend?”source ↗
Where this came up
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