Brick homes are admired for their strength and timeless look, but when cracks start forming in your brickwork, it’s often more than a cosmetic problem. Cracked bricks can be an early warning sign of foundation issues, moisture damage, or pressure from shifting soil around your home.
At Jerry’s Waterproofing, we help homeowners in Nebraska and Iowa identify what’s causing brick cracks and repair the problem at its source.
Common Types of Brick Cracks
Every crack tells a story about what’s happening behind your walls. Here’s what the most common types of brick cracks mean:
- Vertical Cracks: Often caused by uneven foundation settlement. If one side of your home sinks more than the other, the strain can lead to vertical cracking through the brickwork.
- Horizontal Cracks: Usually a sign of inward pressure from expanding soil or hydrostatic pressure. These can indicate bowing foundation walls—a serious structural issue that needs immediate attention.
- Diagonal or Stair-Step Cracks: These cracks typically appear along the mortar lines in a stair-step pattern and are another sign of uneven settlement or shifting soils.
- Spalling: Not exactly a crack, but surface flaking or chipping caused by moisture infiltration and freeze-thaw cycles. It weakens the brick’s surface and should be repaired quickly.
What Causes Bricks to Crack?
Several factors can contribute to brick cracks. Some are minor, but many point to deeper issues that threaten your home’s structure.
1. Foundation Settlement
As the ground beneath your home shifts, your foundation can settle unevenly. This creates stress that travels up through the brick walls, resulting in visible cracks.
2. Water and Moisture
Moisture is one of the biggest culprits behind brick damage. When water seeps into brick or mortar joints and freezes, it expands—causing spalling and cracks over time.
3. Expansive Clay Soils
In Nebraska and Iowa, the presence of expansive clay soils makes homes especially vulnerable. These soils expand when wet and shrink when dry, constantly stressing your foundation and exterior walls.
4. Thermal Expansion
Brick naturally expands and contracts with temperature changes. Without proper expansion joints, this can cause cracking, especially near windows, corners, and wall openings.
5. Overloading or Structural Stress
If your brick wall is bearing too much weight or isn’t properly supported, horizontal or vertical cracks may appear, and in severe cases, the wall could begin to bow inward.
How to Repair Cracked Brick Walls
Fixing the cracks themselves won’t solve the problem if the underlying cause isn’t addressed. That’s why it’s best to call a professional who can diagnose the root issue.
At Jerry’s Waterproofing, we may recommend one or more of the following solutions:
- Steel Push Piers: Installed deep into stable soil to lift and permanently stabilize your foundation.
- Helical Piers: Used for lighter structures or where soil conditions vary.
- Helical Tiebacks or Wall Anchors: Reinforce bowing or leaning walls by counteracting pressure from surrounding soil.
- Waterproofing and Drainage Solutions: Manage excess moisture to prevent future cracking and deterioration.
DIY repairs might make your walls look better temporarily, but without addressing the real cause, cracks will return—and the damage can worsen over time.
When to Call a Professional
If you notice any of the following, contact Jerry’s Waterproofing right away:
- Cracks that are widening or spreading
- Cracks above doors or windows
- Stair-step cracks following mortar lines
- Bulging or bowing walls
- Water leaks or dampness near the cracks
Our experts can inspect your home, pinpoint the source of the problem, and recommend a lasting solution to keep your foundation strong and your brickwork stable.
Restore Your Brick Walls and Protect Your Home
Cracked bricks aren’t just a surface flaw—they’re a symptom. Whether caused by moisture, foundation settlement, or soil pressure, Jerry’s Waterproofing can help you fix the problem for good.
Contact our team today for a professional inspection and restore confidence in the strength and stability of your home.