![stair step cracks in concrete block walls stair step cracks in concrete block walls](https://www.truelevelconcrete.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/FN_RES_FDR_Interior-Window-Crack_01-cropped.jpg)
Should I buy a house that has had foundation repair?.How do I recognize structural problems in a retaining wall?.What would cause long horizontal lines of brick mortar to fall out?.Should I buy a house with a crawl space?.What are the pros and cons of concrete block versus wood frame construction?.What causes the surface of old bricks to erode away into sandy powder?.How can I tell if a diagonal crack in drywall at the corner of a window or door indicates a structural problem?.How much ventilation is required for the under-floor crawl space of a home?.What is the difference between soil subsidence, heave, creep, and settlement?.What causes raised white lines of residue on a block wall that are crusty and crumbling?.What causes vertical cracks in fiber cement siding planks?.What is the average lifespan of a house foundation?.How do I pick the right contractor to fix my stucco?.To learn more about exterior walls and structures, see these other blog posts: Then again, sometimes you don’t need any special training to recognize a structural problem in a stucco wall. See our blog post How do you analyze a crack from cause to effect? for more on this. And, if you want to monitor the problem to see if it is progressing, read How can I tell if cracks in the wall or floor are getting worse or staying the same?Īlthough crack patterns can often lead you directly to the underlying problem, sometimes a more in-depth analysis is necessary. If you plan on checking your walls carefully for cracks, see our blog post Where are the places to look to find structural cracks in a house? and How do I recognize serious structural problems in a house? for tips on where and how to look. Along Concrete Tie Beam - See our blog post There's cracks running along the home's concrete tie beam.Vertical - See our blog post What causes a vertical crack in an exterior concrete block or brick wall?.Horizontal - See our blog post What causes a horizontal crack in a block or brick wall?.Diagonal - See our blog post What causes stair-step cracks in a block or brick wall?.If the wall is stucco over wood frame, go to Why is my stucco cracking? for problems that cause cracking with this type of wall construction. Is it a concrete block wall with a stucco finish, or stucco over a wood frame wall? See our blog post How can I tell if the exterior walls of a house are concrete block (CBS) or wood or brick?when you are not sure which one. 1/4” and above - Definitely a structural problem, requiring evaluation and repair.Any crack with surface differential (one side forward of the other) indicates a structural problem, except that buckling of the both sides (as in the photo above) is more likely to be result of a moisture issue in the wall. 1/8” to 3/16” - Cracks of this diameter are considered very likely to be structural, and we recommend evaluation for cause, and monitoring after repair.Again, check later to confirm that it does not open further. 1/16” - Caulking or masonry caulk recommended.Monitor to be sure that it does not continue to open. Hairline - Can be sealed with a coat of paint if exposed to the weather, but no repair necessary if not.The only time we inspect stucco that doesn’t have any cracks is shortly after the homeowner has had the walls caulked and painted. They may be hairline and only noticeable on close examination, but they are there.