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Cracked Walls – Wall Crack Repair for Cracks in Walls

Overview

Cracked Wall Repair – When should you worry about cracks in your walls?

Turning a blind eye to cracks in walls may mean you’re missing the warning signs for serious and ongoing structural damage caused by subsidence.

Cracks in walls are common in houses. Some are superficial and nothing to worry about. Others could indicate you have a sinking or damaged foundation (subsidence). If this sinking continues, the cracks may get wider. 

Before you carry out wall crack repairs and move on, consider whether there may be a deeper underlying issue. If you’re worried about cracks in your walls, call Mainmark to assess these before the issue worsens.

Video

Cracked Wall Repair in Action

Our Teretek® Resin Injection technology can raise, re-level and re-support subsiding properties.

This remarkable solution is the key to raising, re-leveling, and re-supporting properties affected by subsidence. Our skilled team of consultants and technicians will guide you through the process, demonstrating how we correct subsidence.

Repair cracks in bricks caused by movement

Understanding Cracked Walls: Subsidence Causes and Factors

The issue of subsidence, especially in the context of cracked walls, stems from a multitude of causes and contributing factors. All of these share a common thread—a shift in the ground, resulting in soil movement.
Moreover, the impact varies depending on the type of ground involved. When the ground undergoes changes, building subsidence becomes a prevalent concern.
In such cases, foundations or footings lose their full support and begin to sink due to the weakened ground.

Expansive Soils

A contributing factor to wall cracks is irregular soil behaviour. For example, soils containing reactive clay can expand or contract throughout the year. Rainy seasons will lead to soil expansion from moisture, while contraction occurs in the warm, dry conditions of hotter months. 

These fluctuations could be regular, or the soil may expand and contract unevenly. This causes stress to the foundations of your home, which could lead to internal and/or external wall cracks. This will be of particular concern as more parts of the country experience extreme weather events year on year.

Tree Roots

Neighbouring trees and shrubs absorb water using their roots causing movement in the soil as it soaks up moisture in the ground.

Poor Drainage

One major contributor to wall cracks is issues with drainage. Pipes left unconnected, broken drains and other leakages can mean water drains into the soil under your home. This erodes the soil over time, leading to ground instability. 

The soil under your home could also suffer from aeration, or voids could form. This eventually leads to ground instability, which causes wall cracks.

House Extensions

Wall cracks can appear when the weight of your home increases beyond the foundation’s capacity. Wall extensions or other extra loads increase the weight of the house, as well as increasing the force exerted on the foundation and the soil it sits on.

As with soil expansion, uneven direction or distribution of this force can put stress on the structure. Wall cracks in this case might be the start of more serious issues.

Extreme or Seasonal Weather

Natural disasters such as flooding, drought and earthquakes affect soil moisture levels in particular clay resulting in excessive foundation movement.

Renovation or Construction

Vibration caused by nearby construction activity such as drilling or piling, or heavy road traffic causes soil particles to shift and settle, resulting in ground subsidence.

Expanding Materials

Expanding materials can also cause wall cracks. Some clay bricks expand as they age, increasing up to several millimetres per year in some cases. Concrete is another material that can contract or shift over time. These changes can cause wall cracks unless properly controlled. 

Trust The Experts

Mainmark Specialises in Re-levelling Homes

Whether you can identify the cause of your wall crack or not, it is important to note that cracks are just a symptom.

If you’re worried, call Mainmark to assess your house. We can improve the ground beneath your house or carry out re-levelling to mitigate further damage.

Mainmark specialises in re-levelling buildings that have experienced structural issues, which could lead to wall cracks. We developed the Teretek and JOG technologies, which are versatile and suitable for re-levelling both simple and complex structures.

JOG is a non-invasive method of injecting cementitious grout beneath your house. This results in a supported and improved foundation.

Teretek uses a method of injecting polyurethane resin beneath your house. As the resin expands, it gently lifts the structure. This is also a non-invasive and cost-effective solution.

Benefits

Mainmark’s Level Correction Methods

Fast

Our technologies have fast curing times and treated areas can be used immediately or without the delays compared to traditional repair methods.

Environmentally Inert

Our technologies use an inert material that is non-toxic and does not leach into the environment or affect the treated area.

Non-Invasive

Our solutions are of surgical nature compared to traditional methods.

Cost-Effective

Compared to traditional methods, our solutions are cost-effective, with minimal external disruption to the area.

Start measuring wall cracks from the convenience of your home.

If you notice wall cracks around your home that are:

Large cracks that start at windows, doorways or corners of buildings

Cracks wider than 5mm

Jagged, horizontal or vertical, zig-zagged, stepped in brickwork or follow mortar line

These characteristics may indicate weakness in your property’s foundation.

To help you discover if the cracks in walls around you home could be due to subsidence, we’ve developed this handy tool. Download our FREE crack gauge and start measuring and monitoring the wall cracks around your home now!

Why Choose Mainmark

The Leaders in Foundation Repair

The Pioneers of Resin Injection Underpinning

The Pioneers of Resin Injection Technology in New Zealand.

In-House Engineers

Brings extensive knowledge and experience to every project.

ISO Accredited

Guaranteeing risk mitigation and operational excellence.

50 Year Product Warranty

Backed by a 50-year warranty and ongoing support you can trust.

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Cracked Wall Repair FAQs for New Zealand Homeowners
Are cracked walls in a house serious?

Some wall cracks are minor, but others can be a sign of foundation movement, subsidence or weak ground beneath the home. Cracks that are widening, diagonal, stepped, near doors or windows, or appearing with uneven floors or sticking doors should be assessed before cosmetic repairs are completed.

What causes wall cracks in New Zealand homes?

Wall cracks can be caused by normal settlement, moisture changes, poor drainage, weak ground, leaking pipes, seismic movement or foundation subsidence. In New Zealand, ground conditions can vary significantly between properties, so it is important to understand whether the cracking is cosmetic or linked to movement beneath the home.

When should I worry about cracks in brick walls?

Cracks in brick walls should be checked if they are widening, forming a stair-step pattern, running through mortar joints, appearing near corners, or showing on both internal and external walls. These signs may indicate foundation movement or a subsiding house, especially when combined with sloping floors, gaps or jammed doors.

Can plaster wall cracks be caused by foundation movement?

Yes. Plaster wall cracks can appear when part of a home moves unevenly due to weak ground, subsidence or foundation settlement. Hairline cracks may be cosmetic, but larger cracks, recurring cracks or cracks around doors and windows may point to a deeper issue that should be professionally assessed.

Should I repair wall cracks before fixing the foundation?

If wall cracks are caused by foundation movement, patching, plastering or repainting may only provide a temporary fix. It is usually better to identify and address the cause first. Once the home has been re-supported or re-levelled, internal wall crack repair or external wall crack repair can be completed with more confidence.

Can resin injection help with cracked walls?

Resin injection can help where cracked walls are caused by weak ground, voids, sinking foundations or subsidence beneath the home. The resin is injected below the surface to improve ground support and help re-level affected areas. A site assessment is needed to confirm whether this method is suitable for your property.

How much does cracked wall repair cost in New Zealand?

The cost depends on whether the cracks are cosmetic or linked to foundation movement. Pricing can vary based on the extent of cracking, the size of the affected area, ground conditions, access and the repair method required. A professional assessment is the best way to receive accurate advice and a tailored quote.

Can cracked walls mean my house needs underpinning?

Cracked walls can sometimes indicate that a home needs underpinning, foundation repair or house re-levelling, but not every crack requires major structural work. Mainmark can assess whether the issue is caused by ground movement, sinking foundations or subsidence, and recommend a practical repair method based on the site conditions.

Who provides cracked wall repair near me in New Zealand?

Mainmark provides cracked wall repair, foundation repair, resin injection underpinning and house re-levelling solutions for homeowners across New Zealand. If you are searching for help with wall cracks in your house, Mainmark can inspect the damage, identify the likely cause and recommend a site-specific repair approach.

Why choose Mainmark for cracked wall repairs?

Mainmark is a specialist ground engineering company with New Zealand experience in cracked wall repair, foundation movement, subsidence, resin injection and house re-levelling. Homeowners choose Mainmark for practical site assessments, non-invasive repair options and solutions focused on treating the cause of cracking, not just the visible damage.

Get a quote

Arrange a site assessment in 3 simple steps:

Step 1

Submit your enquiry using our online form. Include a brief message about the type of foundation issues you are experiencing.

Step 2

Our friendly customer service team will be in touch to schedule a site assessment that suits you.

Step 3

One of the Mainmark experts will visit your home or property and assess the damage. They will establish the approach needed, create a plan specific to the needs of your building and provide you with a detailed quote.

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