By Shawn Kyles
When a concrete foundation is poured, small cracks can appear as the cement dries and shrinks. Shrinkage cracks are vertical and extremely small. They typically appear on foundation walls, but do not affect the structural integrity of the home. Settlement cracks are a more serious problem. Unlike shrinkage cracks, they will often extend into the structure, weakening the building.
Most houses experience some degree of settlement (downward movement) after they have been built. Additional and more severe sinking can occur if the home was constructed on poorly compacted soil, or when the building’s weight compresses the soil beneath it.