Settlement Crack

Settlement cracks tell the story of your building's foundation movement, requiring careful diagnosis to distinguish between normal settling and serious structural problems in Ontario's varied soil conditions. These cracks typically appear within the first few years as buildings adjust to site conditions, but can also indicate ongoing foundation issues from poor drainage, soil erosion, or frost heaving. Diagonal cracks radiating from window corners, vertical cracks where additions meet original structures, and horizontal cracks near grade level all suggest different settlement patterns. Clay soils common in the GTA expand and contract dramatically with moisture changes, causing seasonal movement that progressively worsens cracks. Minor settlement is normal, but cracks that continue growing, exceed 1/4 inch width, or accompany other symptoms need professional assessment. Fix My Brick evaluates settlement patterns to identify causes and implement appropriate solutions—from simple crack repair to foundation stabilization—preventing minor issues from becoming major structural failures.