Foundation Crack Repair in Corpus Christi, TX

Cracks That Are Usually Not Structural

• Thin cracks in a garage floor or patio that do not grow
• Hairline cracks in the exposed edge of a slab
• Small cracks in drywall tape at corners that stay the same width

Cracks Worth an Inspection

• Stair-step cracks in brick veneer near corners or over windows
• Diagonal cracks running up from the corners of doors and windows
• Slab cracks where one side sits higher than the other
• Cracks that keep getting longer or wider over a few months
• New cracks at the same time as doors that stick or floors that slope

On clay, many cracks open in a dry summer and close again after rain. That pattern still means the foundation is moving with the soil, so it is worth tracking.

How Cracks Are Repaired

• Sealing with epoxy or polyurethane closes a crack that is not moving and keeps water and pests out.
• Repointing brick replaces cracked mortar once the movement behind it is fixed.
• Fixing the cause comes first when a crack is growing: piers under a slab edge, or new supports under a pier and beam home. See house leveling and foundation piers.

Patching a growing crack without fixing the movement only hides it until the next dry spell. Typical prices are in our guide to foundation repair cost in Corpus Christi.

More Questions About Foundation Crack Repair

Why do cracks open in summer and close in winter?

Clay shrinks as it dries and swells when it gets wet. In a dry summer, the soil at the edge of a slab pulls away and the edge drops a little, so cracks open. After rain, the soil swells back and some cracks close. A crack that does this every year still points to movement worth watching.

How do I track a crack?

Mark both ends with a pencil and the date, measure the widest point, and take a photo with a ruler in it. Check again every month or so. A crack that grows longer or wider, or one side that sits higher, is the kind to show the contractor.

Are brick cracks a foundation problem?

Often. Brick veneer cannot bend, so it cracks along the mortar joints when the slab edge under it moves. Stair-step cracks near corners and over windows are the usual pattern. Fixing the movement comes first, then the brick is repointed.

Can I seal a slab crack myself?

A thin crack in a garage floor or patio that is not moving can be sealed with a concrete crack sealant from a hardware store. If the crack keeps growing, or one side is higher, sealing hides it without fixing it.

Do I need a permit to repair cracks?

Sealing a crack is maintenance. Structural repair is different: Inside Corpus Christi city limits, the city lists foundation repairs among the residential repairs that need a permit, with an engineered, sealed foundation plan. Portland, Robstown, Gregory, Ingleside and Aransas Pass each have their own city offices.