Cracked Foundation Walls & Cracked Bricks
About Brick Cracks and Foundation Wall Cracks
Your heavy exterior walls are supported by your concrete foundation footing or slab. When the soil that supports your foundation begins to settle, the weight of your walls can no longer rest securely on the concrete footing / slab without beginning to show signs of failure. 
Usually the footing breaks and your exterior walls begin to settle and often rotate. In masonry walls, you will usually see stairstep cracks that are larger towards the top. However, wall cracks may differ from house to house.
Brick cracks usually get worse with time and are a serious indicator of foundation failure. If you notice cracked bricks, block, or any cracked walls --especially on the exterior of your home or structure--you should seriously consider getting a free estimate to evaluate the problem.
Faulty Foundation Crack Repair Methods
Crack Fillers
Some homeowners purchase crack-filler or hire a contractor to fill in masonry cracks. While this may temporarily seal an otherwise open crack, this method does not solve the underlying problem. As the foundation settles, cracks will reappear. If you eventually have your foundation repaired, the crack sealant can actually impede the repair process until the crack-filler is cleaned out.
Masonry Repair and other Temporary Cosmetic Fixes
If you call a brick mason or a contractor specializing in cosmetic repairs to fix your cracked walls, you will often be recommended only a cosmetic solution. These contractors can help you rebuild walls, replace bricks, reapply mortar, or any number of cosmetic concerns, but they often offer no solution to the underlying problem. If the unstable soil is not addressed, the same cracks will likely reappear and you've now invested money needlessly.
Drive Rite does heartily recommend the use of these contractors, but only after a foundation repair contractor has stabilized your foundation. Once your concrete walls are relying on deep-driven steel piers for their support, you can make more confident decisions about cosmetic repairs.
The Real Problem: Soil Instability
Unfortunately well-meaning homeowners often mask symptoms rather than fixing the real problem. The real problem is soil instability under your foundation wall. You need a foundation repair method that will support these walls without relying upon the settling soil. See our installation slideshow to learn how steel piers can repair the real problem.
