Foundation Cracks

Have you noticed cracking on the exterior of your foundation similar to what is in this picture? This is an extreme example but cracking and peeling in this area between the ground and the top of the foundation is common.  What you see here is cracking in the coating (often call parging) that covers the foundation and not in the foundation itself.  It is not a structural concern, only cosmetic. When a home is built the foundation is usually concrete block or a poured concrete wall. The top of the foundation wall ends a few inches or more  above the ground and the siding ( vinyl, wood, brick, etc.) starts from there. Between the ground and the siding is the bare concrete or block foundation wall and it is not very attractive. 

The builder will finish up with a thin top coat of mortar to ‘dress -up’ this exposed bare area. The problem comes a few years later as this thin coat of mortar tends to crack in the weather extremes. Left unchecked it just gets worse and worse and begins to fall off. Rest assured your house will remain structurally sound as this is only a cosmetic covering. 

Learn more about home construction and structural tips via my New Construction video series today.