Can a Foundation Crack on a New Home?

The answer is yes – the foundation can crack even if your home is new. Foundation settlement occurs when the soil under a home cannot support its weight. This lack of support forces the foundation to shift and sink to different levels. This movement is what causes the foundation to crack or bow.

Foundation settlement or failure can happen to any home that is not properly supported. This is why it is important to take precautions while building the home to prevent unnecessary hazards and expenses. 

What Are the Dangers of Foundation Settlement?

• Water Seepage. If you have cracks in your foundation, this gives water easy access to your home. Water can cause further damage, the growth of mold and mildew, and develop into a breeding ground for mosquitos, other insects, and bacteria. Water can damage your flooring, furniture, and other belongings. Mold and mildew can also cause damage, as well as pose health concerns – especially for households with members who have asthma and other breathing problems. Obviously, mosquitos and bacteria also present health concerns. 
• Entryway for Pests. If the cracks become large enough, they can allow more than just insects an entryway right into your home. This includes things like snakes and squirrels, which can also be dangerous and cause damage to your new home. 
• Collapsing Walls. If foundation settlement is not corrected, it can lead to your walls collapsing. This can be extremely costly to repair, will require a lot of clean up, and will cause damage to your home and belongings. Foundation issues only worsen over time, so it is important to fix any cracks or shifting before they progress beyond repair.

How Can Alpha Foundations Permanently Repair My Foundation?

If you notice cracked or bowing walls in your new home, we can help! Depending on the specific problem, we have several proven and warrantied solutions. 

• Steel Push Piers – Push piers are heavy-duty steel brackets which are driven into the soil to a more stable soil layer or bedrock. This will transfer the weight of your home onto soil that is better able to support the foundation.
• Helical Piers – Helical piers are a similar steel supports which are “screwed” into the ground instead of “pushed.” We typically use these piers to support lightweight structures like porches, decks, and chimneys. Depending on the particular situation, we may be able to use helical piers to support a home.
• Wall Anchor System – If the walls are cracked or bowing in your crawl space, we may be able to use wall anchors to pull the walls back to their original position. These are heavy-duty earth anchors which are installed in the soil several feet away from your home. These anchors are attached to steel wall plates that fit against the shifted wall. A galvanized steel rod connects these plates and can be tightened over time to reverse foundation failure.

If you are building a new home, it is important to make sure it will be properly and securely supported by the ground underneath it. Do not assume that your builder will be aware of the soil conditions under your home, speak with a specialist to make sure you will not have foundation problems later on. If your home has already been built, but you are experiencing foundation settlement or failure now, we can help with that as well! Protect one of the biggest investments you will make by supporting your foundation.