16.03 2026

Vertical cracks in brickwork - causes and solutions

Vertical cracks in the walls of brick buildings are a common defect that can appear in both new and existing buildings. The appearance of vertical cracks can often indicate a building in disrepair. This sign requires careful inspection. Only through expert inspection, measurements, and calculations can the cause of these structural problems be accurately determined.

Therefore, below we will examine how vertical cracks form in a house wall, what causes them, and how to solve them.

Why is the crack vertical?

Brickwork has high compressive strength, but comparatively low tensile and flexural strength. When the resulting stress in the structure attempts to “pull” the wall laterally, the material fails. The mechanics of this process are such that the crack direction is perpendicular to the direction of the principal tensile stress. Thus, a vertical rupture is the result of horizontal “pull” of the wall. Therefore, any deformations that cause tensile stress in walls can lead to crack formation.

Vertical cracks typically occur in areas of stress concentration—near window and door openings, in areas where walls meet, at building corners, or in areas with uneven loading.

Причины возникновения деформаций

Uneven foundation settlement

This is typically the main cause of cracks in brick walls, according to our statistics collected over the years. Foundation settlement normally occurs in almost every building in the first few years after construction; ideally, it should be uniform. This prevents additional stress from occurring in the structure. However, for a variety of reasons, a “warping” occurs. One part of the building “sinks” more than the other, leading to tension in the masonry. This places stress on the foundation and walls. Ultimately, this leads to deformations in the form of cracks. This is especially common in weak or water-saturated soils, as well as when the foundation’s bearing capacity is insufficient.

Structural loads not anticipated in the design

There are also many causes of this type of load. Errors during building renovations, adding an additional floor, or constructing floors heavier than designed, as well as additional extensions, which create stress on the underlying soils and foundation. Increased loads on the foundation and walls create additional stress in the masonry, which can exceed its tensile strength.

Sometimes vertical cracks form due to the redistribution of loads within a building.

Poor quality construction work

Errors made during construction can play a serious role and only become apparent over time. These include insufficient mortar strength, improper brick bonding, uneven joint thickness, and the complete absence or improper placement of masonry reinforcement where it is needed. If masonry is constructed with such imperfections, its load-bearing capacity is reduced, and even minor foundation movements can lead to deformations.

How to solve the problem?

A specialist can determine the exact cause of vertical cracks in masonry after inspecting the building. This involves assessing the nature of the cracks, their location, their width, and their progression. Often, special markers are installed at the cracks to determine whether the deformation is continuing. A foundation inspection and soil analysis are also conducted.

The methods for resolving the problem depend on the underlying causes and the extent of the structural damage. If the cracks are caused by uneven foundation settlement, the underlying cause of the deformation must first be addressed.

Georesin’s geopolymer soil injection technology is ideal for this purpose. It does more than simply stabilize the foundation and stop subsidence. Moreover, it allows you to level the foundation, returning the base soil to the required level in subsidence zones with high accuracy.

As for the damaged masonry itself, its load-bearing capacity and integrity are restored using crack reinforcement technology from Stati-Cal. Prestressed spiral reinforcement is the optimal solution.

This way, we can effectively address the entire range of load-bearing structural issues in a brick building, guaranteeing its continued use for years to come.