Why Does Brickwork Crack?
These are the main reasons for brickwork to crack:
- Inadequate drainage: Faulty drains, leaks, or disconnected pipes can provoke soil erosion beneath the house, destabilising the ground and causing foundation instability and wall fractures.
- Seasonal fluctuations: Severe changes such as droughts and floods can trigger significant soil contraction and expansion, contributing to wall fractures.
- Nearby trees: Intrusive root systems from neighbouring trees can draw water from the soil, altering its moisture balance and resulting in wall fractures.
- Additional weight: Wall fractures might occur if a house’s weight, due to extensions or renovations, surpasses its original design capacity, putting undue stress on the structure and its foundation.
- Reactive soils: These types of soils expand or shrink based on varying moisture levels throughout the year, causing irregular strain on house foundations and contributing to wall fractures.
- Deteriorated building materials: As time goes on, building materials might deteriorate due to influences like gravity, weathering, or decay, which weakens structural soundness and results in wall fractures.