Floor Cracks
Why are Floor Cracks in My Basement Floors Concerning?
If you notice floor cracks in your basement floor or even the upper levels of your home in the tile or hardwood, you may have a foundation issue. Floor cracks can be signs of foundation settlement due to improper construction, uneven soil, and the home’s weight. When foundation settlement occurs, foundation issues can become devastating. Over time, floor cracks can get worse and end up costing you thousands of dollars in repairs. You may also start to notice other issues such as sinking floors, leaning or bowing walls and wall cracks.
Slab cracks are usually thin and may seem harmless, but they can be one of the biggest problems in your house. They can cause your home to lean to one side, your windows to stick, your doors to become off-kilter, or for pools of water to form around cracks in your house. In most cases, these problems will need underpinning piers to be fixed, but if you have more than one of these problems, you most likely have serious foundation problems.
Understanding Floor Cracks
Floor cracks often signal deeper issues beneath your home. While they may resemble slab cracks, they typically have more underlying causes than visible symptoms. Common reasons floor cracks develop include:
- Foundation settlement caused by unstable or shifting soil
- Excess moisture in the soil, leading to expansion and instability
- Dry or shrinking soil, which can cause the foundation to drop or settle unevenly
- Fluctuating moisture levels, creating ongoing soil movement beneath the slab
- Plumbing or drainage problems that introduce water under the foundation
- Sump pump clogging from leaves or debris, causing water to recirculate and saturate the soil
- Poor drainage around the home, allowing water to collect near the foundation
- Hydrostatic pressure pushing moisture upward into the basement floor
- Basement slab is thinner than originally planned or needed
Proper water management and foundation stabilization are essential to prevent floor cracks from worsening and to protect the integrity of your home.
Solutions for Floor Cracks
Foundation Underpinning with Helical Piers
Floor cracks are often a sign of foundation settlement caused by unstable or moisture-affected soils. Matthews Wall Anchor & Waterproofing Services installs ECP helical piers to stabilize and support the foundation beneath settled or cracked floors. Helical piers help:
- Lift and stabilize settled concrete slabs
- Transfer weight to stable, load-bearing soil
- Restore structural integrity beneath cracked floors
- Provide immediate load-bearing support with minimal disturbance
Drainage & Moisture Management
Excess moisture, poor drainage, and fluctuating soil conditions can contribute to floor cracks. Matthews Wall Anchor provides drainage improvements, sump pump systems, and waterproofing solutions that help direct water away from the foundation and create more stable soil conditions. These systems help:
- Reduce hydrostatic pressure under the slab
- Prevent soil saturation that leads to cracking
- Improve long-term foundation stability
Foundation Evaluation & Structural Diagnostics
Before repairing any floor cracks, Matthews Wall Anchor performs a thorough foundation assessment to determine the underlying cause. Cracks may be symptoms of settlement, plumbing leaks, drainage issues, or soil instability. Our evaluation identifies:
- Settlement beneath the slab
- Soil movement from moisture fluctuations
- Plumbing or drainage problems
- Areas needing structural reinforcement
Related Services
Foundation Repair
Moisture problems in a crawl space can signal deeper foundation issues such as settlement, sagging floors, or wall movement. Matthews Wall Anchor & Waterproofing Services provides professional foundation stabilization using helical piers, push piers, wall anchors, and structural supports to protect your home from long-term damage.
Crawl Space Repair
From sagging floors and rotted joists to failing support posts and moisture-damaged structures, our crawl space repair solutions address the underlying problems that contribute to mold growth. We reinforce, stabilize, and restore your crawl space to ensure structural integrity and a healthier environment throughout your home.
Waterproofing Solutions
Excess moisture is the root cause of most crawl space mold and mildew. Our interior and exterior waterproofing systems, sump pumps, drainage solutions, and vapor barriers work together to redirect water away from your home, reduce humidity, and create a dry, healthy environment under your house.
Hydroblox Residential Drainage Systems
Hydroblox panels provide high-efficiency drainage without the clogging issues of traditional pipe systems. Installed around crawl spaces or problem moisture areas, Hydroblox moves water quickly and consistently—helping keep your crawl space dry and preventing mold and mildew from returning.
Request a Free Estimate
Get a free, no-obligation inspection from Matthews Wall Anchor—trusted specialists in foundation repair, waterproofing, and structural stability.
