We all spot the occasional crack in a wall and think: “That’s just the house settling, right?” Sometimes it is. But sometimes… it’s a red flag waving at you. It’s time to take a closer look at how cracking on external surfaces can create damp walls in your home…
At Dampcon, we’ve seen how tiny cracks can signal much bigger problems — especially when water starts to seep in.
Generally, from a damp proofing and waterproofing perspective, cracking in plaster and / or brickwork that is exposed to the elements will contribute to both internal and external damp and water damage over time.
This is especially true and often under appreciated when it comes to Crazing / Map Cracking. If you see a concentration of hairline cracks of the exterior surface of your walls, it may be time to call a damp proofing and waterproofing expert.
We, at Dampcon, have the tools and experience to assess and provide solutions and options to repair these cracks and the resulting damp damage.
Structural cracks are generally more evident and may be easier for most homeowners to identify. Due to the nature of these cracks. it may be necessary to involve the services of an engineer in their exact identification, specification and repair.
This means that cracking left exposed to the elements for a long period will create additional damp damage and cost more to repair than cracking attended to it as early as possible. This highlights the importance for every homeowner to periodically inspect their homes, and when warranted, obtain a professional contractor or expert to correctly identify the type of cracking before attempting repairs.
The images below highlight how external plaster cracking can contribute and cause damp damage to internal plaster and finishes.
The Bottom Line? Don’t Guess. Get an Expert Opinion.
Dampcon® offers free inspections for peace of mind. We’ll let you know if it’s cosmetic or critical — and offer expert repairs if needed. Catching it early could save you a fortune.
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Contact us today — because not all cracks are created equal.