Have you found a crack in the corner of your home? It could be a corner pop. Before you panic, it’s important to know that corner pops are typically cosmetic and are usually not indicative of serious structural damage. However, this does not mean you should ignore the problem.
As a property owner, you must know how to identify issues like a corner pop, because they can lead to more significant problems if left untreated. Water can leak through the cracks, causing erosion or moisture damage to the foundation or exterior walls.
What Is a Corner Pop?
A corner pop is a common issue found in brick homes with slab foundations. Corner pops often manifest as cracks in the exterior brick or siding near the foundation’s edge, especially around vulnerable corners.
They can also look like a part of the wall is breaking off and pulling away from the rest of the foundation. In some more serious cases, it’ll look like the entire corner of the property has come off completely.
Before calling an inspector or a foundation repair company, it’s important to understand the cause of the issue and whether it’s a cosmetic problem or a sign of a bigger structural problem.
What Causes a Corner Pop?
A corner pop typically occurs when the concrete slab expands or contracts, causing a crack or separation at the corner of the foundation. This can be caused due to changes in temperature, moisture, or soil movement.
Here are the most common ways a corner pop appears:
1. Heat Expansion
Brick walls tend to expand when it’s hot outside and contract when it’s cool outside. However, the slab foundation of your property doesn’t expand the same way the bricks do, as it’s made of concrete.
While the bricks expand, pushing the walls out towards the corners of the property, the slab will stay in its place. The shearing pressure of the bricks’ expansion tends to concentrate on the corners, which can cause them to crack or pop off. The expanding brick is also so strong that it can crack the concrete, pushing it right off the house.
2. Moisture Changes
Moisture changes can affect the soil around your property’s foundation. When the soil becomes saturated with water, it expands, exerting pressure on the concrete slab.
Conversely, during dry weather conditions, the soil contracts, creating gaps or voids beneath the foundation. These cycles of expansion and contraction cause the foundation to shift or settle unevenly, especially at vulnerable corners. This movement can lead to stress on the slab, eventually causing cracks or separations known as corner pops.
3. Soil Movement
Soil movement, often caused by changes in moisture levels, can lead to corner pops by creating uneven pressure on a property’s foundation. Expansive soils, which swell when wet and shrink when dry, shift beneath the foundation, especially at its corners.
These areas are more vulnerable to stress due to their structural design. As the soil expands or contracts, the resulting pressure or voids cause the concrete slab to crack or separate at the corners. Over time, this leads to visible damage, such as cracks in exterior brick or siding.
Should I Worry If I Spot a Corner Pop on My Property
Typically, corner pops alone are not a sign of a bigger foundation problem. If you notice a corner pop in your property, it’s most likely that it doesn’t have any bearings on the structure of your home.
However, there are instances when a corner pop can indicate a bigger problem. For instance, a corner pop could indicate a sag in the middle of the wall. If so, you would be able to spot other problems in the foundation of your property. You must inspect your property for the following:
- Diagonal cracks on drywall
- Stair Step cracks on brick surfaces
- Windows or doors that don’t close properly
- Sagging in the middle of the foundation
If you notice any of these issues in addition to a corner pop, you’ll want to call a professional immediately. Otherwise, you can rest easy knowing that the foundation of your property is left intact.
How to Deal with a Corner Pop
If you ever come across a corner pop on your property’s foundation, don’t panic. Here are some alternative options:
- Assess the Damage: Inspect the severity of the corner pop to determine if it’s purely cosmetic or if there may be underlying structural issues.
- Seal Any Cracks: Use high-quality concrete or masonry sealant to fill the cracks and prevent water infiltration, which can worsen the issue over time.
- Re-attach the Corner: If the broken-off corner piece is still in good condition you can reattach it to the wall with a strong construction-grade adhesive. However, this is a temporary fix.
- Maintain Landscaping: Keep landscaping away from the foundation to prevent excessive moisture accumulation that can lead to soil movement.
- Improve Drainage: Ensure proper drainage around the foundation to reduce soil movement caused by water accumulation. Install gutters, downspouts, or French drains if necessary. In the case of drainage failing, invest in water damage insurance.
- Monitor the Issue: Regularly check the affected corner for further movement or cracks to catch any worsening conditions early.
- Consider Investing in Foundation Repairs: If the issue persists or worsens, foundation repairs like underpinning or soil stabilization might be necessary to prevent further damage.
- Consult a Professional: If the damage seems significant, you should consult a foundational repair company to address any concerns about potential shifting or settling. Even if the problem is merely cosmetic, they can help you find the best solution to get your property back into good shape!
Bottom Line
A corner pop is an eyesore. While it doesn’t typically signify a bigger foundation issue, having one of the corners of your property look cracked or like it’s falling apart can significantly diminish the property’s appeal and market value.
Now that you know the common causes of corner pops and how to address them, you’ll be better prepared to keep your property in good condition!
If you’re looking for an honest foundation repair company in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, contact Granite Foundation Repair Inc Now! We’ve seen hundreds of corner pops over the years, so we can tell you whether your problem is a sign of a bigger structural issue with just one look.