Cracked Bricks
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Cracked Brick and Foundation Settlement
Noticing Cracked Bricks on Your House?
Cracked bricks on a house are the most common sign of foundation settlement. If a home has stair-stepped cracks in the exterior brick, it is likely that the footing has broken and is settling. But just because there are cracks does not guarantee that the house is settling.
An inspector should know many aspects of home construction to assess a foundation settlement properly. Many signs should be considered when diagnosing how a home has settled and how it is likely to settle in the future. We offer free foundation inspections by our trained Expert Advisors for an accurate assessment.
The Main Causes of Cracked Bricks on a House:
- Differential foundation settlement occurs when one portion of the home settles at a different rate than the rest of the home, causing it to settle unevenly.
- Swollen metal lintels – the metal supports over doors, windows, garages, or foundation vents oxidize, aka rusting, causing them to swell and lift the bricks above.
Once you know whether the cracks are caused by differential settlement or swollen lintels, you can address the problem's source. If the foundation settling causes a crack, the soil supporting the footing must be addressed. Any settlement is primarily a problem with the soil once the foundation is broken or cracked. If the swelling of a metal lintel causes a crack, it should simply be replaced. New lintels are typically galvanized, which means the metal was treated with zinc to prevent future oxidation and damage from moisture.
The Main Causes of Foundation Settlement:
- The soil type cannot support the weight of the structure, such as the footing, walls, floors, roof, etc.
- The footing was installed without adequate metal reinforcement
- The soil was not compacted properly during the construction
- Sub-surface water, underground, has washed out the soil from under the footing
- Trees near the house were removed, allowing the roots under the footing to decompose and rot
- The soil has shrunken due to a decrease in soil moisture in an area
- The soil has expanded to various degrees, with a concentration of moisture in an area
- Additional weight was added to the original structure
As with most repairs, the best solution depends on the circumstances. Unfortunately, in the case of foundation settlement, most of the issue lies with the inadequacy of the soil, so the best solution is to bypass the soil directly underneath the cracked footing.
Solutions and Repair Options for Foundation Settlement:
The most common and highly recommended solution for foundation settlement is foundation push piers. Push piers involve driving heavy steel pipe into the ground, bypassing the problem soils until they reach strong, stable soils. The steel pipe sections are driven into the ground using the weight of the home and powerful hydraulics to achieve the ‘load-bearing stratum.’ This essentially puts your home on metal stilts, supporting your home on the most substantial soil layers. Engineering and our best practices guarantee stability in life and allow us to attempt correction for a more level home.
The concrete foundation underpinning is the second-best solution for foundation cracks or cracked bricks. Concrete underpinning should only be used where foundation push piers are not an option. Sometimes, a footing was not installed during the original construction, or the equipment used to install the push piers cannot access an area. Only in these instances should concrete underpinning be used. Concrete underpinning involves digging under the cracked area and installing a new concrete footing underneath the settled area. This is a good but imperfect system because you’re adding more weight to the failed soils so that this area can settle again.
Inspecting Your Home for Cracked Bricks and Settlement:
Our Expert Advisors are trained to identify the causes and best repair options for your home. If you’re concerned about the integrity of your home, we offer free, no-obligation inspections and estimates. When we inspect your home, we explain the problems and solutions and explore multiple options to find the best solution for you.
Why Choose BAY for Your Cracked Brick Solutions?
BAY Crawl Space & Foundation Repair is your trusted source for cracked bricks in Virginia Beach, Newport News, Suffolk, and the surrounding region. Our expert teams have over 400 collective years of experience fixing homes in the Hampton Roads, VA, and NC regions.
Our staff includes structural experts, repair specialists, and an entire support team ready to deliver exceptional customer service and a fast turnaround of your project. This is why BAY Crawl Space can offer excellent long-term warranties on the installation and materials for your repair.
Take advantage of our free crawl space and foundation inspection to learn more about BAY's cracked brick solutions. Your inspection will give you a much better understanding of the issues at hand and your best options for repair.
Contact BAY Crawl Space & Foundation Repair today by filling out our online form or call 757-460-0444 for a free inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes bricks to crack on a house?
Cracks in brick walls can occur due to several reasons, with the most common being foundation movement or settlement, which puts stress on the brick veneer. Other causes include water-related expansion and contraction, weathering, frozen moisture, insect or plant root intrusion, and age-related deterioration of mortar and brick material.
How can foundation settlement cause cracking in bricks?
When the soil supporting the foundation shifts—due to poor drainage, expansive clay soil, or erosion—it causes uneven settlement. Differential settlement—where part of the foundation sinks faster than other areas—creates stress, leading to cracks that often appear as stair-step or diagonal cracks in the brick veneer.
What types of cracks are signs of foundation issues?
- Vertical cracks: Usually minor but can indicate ongoing settlement if widening.
- Diagonal cracks: Sign of uneven settlement and structural stress.
- Horizontal cracks: More serious, as they suggest lateral pressure and potential foundation failure.
- Stair-step cracks: Typically follow mortar joints, often caused by differential settlement.
Can water or weather cause brick cracks?
Yes. Water infiltration, especially when it freezes in the brick cavities, causes expansion and cracking. Temperature fluctuations lead to expansion and contraction of bricks and mortar, weakening the material over time and creating cracks.
How do I tell if cracks are serious?
Small, hairline cracks are usually cosmetic. However, cracks wider than 1/16 inch, especially if they extend or widen over time, are cause for concern. Cracks that extend diagonally or horizontally, or appear along the entire length of the brick wall, require professional evaluation.
What are the risks of ignoring cracked bricks?
Ignoring significant cracks can lead to further structural damage, including foundation failure, compromised wall integrity, water intrusion, and increased repair costs. Cracks near chimneys or bearing walls are particularly concerning and need urgent inspection.
How can cracks be repaired?
Small cosmetic cracks may be sealed with masonry repair caulk or mortar. Larger cracks or those caused by foundation settlement require foundation stabilization, such as installing helical piers, underpinning, or soil stabilization techniques. Reinforcing or replacing damaged brickwork and mortar may also be necessary.
When should I call a professional?
If cracks are large, widening, or extend diagonally or horizontally, or if you notice other signs like door/window warping, uneven floors, or brick leaning, professional evaluation is essential. Timely inspection can prevent more costly future repairs and address underlying foundation issues.
How can I prevent cracking in the future?
Proper drainage, maintaining gutters and downspouts, controlling soil moisture around the foundation, and regular inspections help prevent foundation movement and brick cracking. Repairs to water leaks or drainage issues should be addressed promptly.
Why choose a specialist for cracked brick repairs?
Structural issues require expertise in foundation assessment, soil analysis, and masonry repair. Professionals can diagnose the root cause, recommend appropriate repairs, and perform stabilization to prevent further damage—saving money and ensuring safety.
About BAY Crawl Space & Foundation Repair
BAY is an award-winning crawl space and foundation repair contractor. We’re proud to service an 80-mile radius around our Norfolk, VA headquarters Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
BAY is best known for its amazing reviews (quality and quantity), superior expertise, special methods, and affordable pricing options. We have the ‘Best of the Best’ on our team. Our All-Star Team delivers great customer experiences and the best quality for a great price.
Our reputation in the Hampton Roads community, with homeowners, engineers, city permitting offices, home services professionals, and online as a crawl space foundation repair contractor, is outstanding.
Reviews Summary & Links- Google – 4.9 / 5 Rating, 2,800 + Reviews
- Angi – 4.9 / 5 Rating, 550+ Reviews
- Facebook – 5.0 / 5 Rating, 700+ Reviews
- Nextdoor – 5.0 / 5 Rating, 600+ Reviews
- Better Business Bureau – 4.95 / 5 Rating, 350+ Reviews
We have ranked #1 for crawl space repair in Hampton Roads for 10+ years (Google: 2015-2026), ranked top 5% in the USA with SUPER SERVICE AWARDS for 9 years (Angi: 2017-2025), Winners of "BEST OF COASTAL VIRGINIA" for 8 years (CoVA Biz 2018-2025),"BEST OF THE BEST "National Award Winners since 2020, and winners of the COVA BIZ "Best Places to Work" award.
OUR REVIEWS Click Links To Access Reviews
Our Reviews Reflect Our Commitment to Taking Great Care of Our Customers
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“After shopping companies and getting several bids on the same project, we chose Bay Crawl because of their reputation and price. They had our whole house leveled and stabilized in two days. Left our property cleaner than they found it with a smile on their face. Do NOT plan your next project without getting an estimate from Bay Crawl.”
- Ryan Simpson -
“Our experience with Bay was outstanding. From first contact everything was smooth and made as easy as possible for us. We were kept informed every step of the process via email, phone, and text. The work was top-notch. The cost was extremely reasonable. We were impressed that Bay did not try to sell services that weren’t required.”
- Teresa Lackey -
“My experience was nothing but the best with Bay Crawl Space. The price was much more affordable than what another company quoted. Scheduling was easy and painless. They were professional and treated my home as if it was their own. They left me feeling very confident in my decision to go with Bay.”
- Michael Turner -
“It was an easy decision to choose Bay Crawl Space over the three other estimates I had gotten—not only was the price reasonable based on my research, but Jamie was the only sales advisor who described more than one option that I could choose. The scheduling was very smooth! I am confident that if I have any problems, I can call & they will resolve them.”
- Diane Taylor -
"Severe water damage to the structure. We thought we were in real trouble but after talking with them, we felt much better as we were assured that this was "Easy." Our experience with Bay was better than we have had with any other contractor EVER. Upfront with what to expect, honest in their communications, and fair pricing."
- Mike O'Neill -
"We had our crawlspace encapsulated by BAY three years ago at a fraction of the cost of JES's estimate. The work was done on time and to exceptional standards. The office has been courteous, the workers arrived on time, and the work was accomplished as promised. BAY gets my highest recommendation."
- Bob Essman -
"I am delighted with the crawl space encapsulation completed by Bay Crawl Space & Foundation Repair. What I particularly appreciate about BAY is their attention to detail & commitment to excellence. They were punctual and very much worth the value. I highly recommend Bay Crawl Space to anyone looking for excellent service & an affordable product."
- Leslie Ballard -
"I'm not one to take home repairs lightly so I try and do my research. I got over 4 estimates to have my crawl space encapsulated and some repair work done. BAY beat the others prices by over 10k. Oh and they actually did more work that what the others quoted us to do. They also do quality work. So value for money, BAY is the company to go with."
- Benjamin Alexander -
“I had an independent civil engineer out to inspect prior to the BAY visit. I was afraid I might be oversold on repairs I didn’t need. This was not the case. BAY made the same observations and gave same explanations or better. Great job BAY on hiring honest and competent assessors. Very professional, will work with you again!”
- Zachary Frey -
“I’m super pleased with the work Bay did us, it made a difference almost immediately. Our service advisor, Beau, did an excellent job of identifying the issues in our crawl and offering reasonably priced solutions. The team they sent out to do the work was awesome. They were friendly, knowledgeable, and efficient!”
- David Green -
Bay Crawl is by far the number 1 company for all of your crawl space and foundation needs. They are fairly priced. When coupled with the amazing service you receive, its a value that's unbeatable. Every employee I interacted with was professional, polite, knowledgable, and hard working. You will not deal with a better run company than Bay Crawl.
- Nicholas Cipriano