Foundation Cracks? Don’t Panic | Real Risks for SF Bay Area Property Owners

Worried about foundation cracks? Don't be! This video explains why most foundation cracks are not a structural concern, and what actually does matter with regard to your building's safety. Learn why foundation cracks are natural, and what to do if you spot them. More importantly, learn about the real risk property owners face: soft-story conditions. If you own property in the San Francisco Bay Area, don’t wait for the next earthquake to take action. Soft-story retrofit protects your property, your tenants, and your peace of mind.

Foundation Cracks? Don’t Panic | Here's Why

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re worried about foundation cracks. Well, let me tell you: foundation cracks are not a big deal. In fact, most of the time, they’re small, harmless, and not worth your time or ours. So, let’s talk about why foundation cracks aren’t a structural concern, and what actually does matter when it comes to your building’s safety.

First off—foundation cracking happens. Concrete is a stiff, strong material, and when your foundation experiences minor displacement—whether from soil settlement, erosion, or compaction—it’s natural for small cracks to appear. These cracks are usually shallow, extending maybe half an inch into the foundation that’s perhaps 2 feet thick and 2 feet deep. In comparison, they’re very small.

If you’re concerned, a simple fix is to patch them with epoxy injection. This prevents water infiltration, and keeps the cracks from widening or lengthening. You don’t need a licensed design professional for this. To solve the problem, call a handy person or even do it yourself.

Now—Realtors—please stop sending property owners to engineers for inspections. Engineers design projects that renovate buildings and keep them safe. It's not a good use of time to visit properties and tell people their foundation cracks are not a concern.

The only time a foundation crack might need professional attention is if it’s large enough to fit your fingers. In that rare case, a segment of foundation might need to be replaced. But this rarely happens.

Now, what you should be worried about with regard to your building is soft-story conditions. Most wood-frame buildings have an open ground floor that can experience damage or even collapse during a major earthquake. This is a serious vulnerability that is much more important than foundation cracks.

Soft-story retrofit strengthens your building so it won’t collapse during an earthquake. In the Bay Area, most properties need this seismic retrofit.

Your building may have survived previous earthquakes like the 1989 Loma Prieta quake or the 1906 San Francisco quake, but those were unique events. The next major seismic event could be closer, stronger, and more damaging. Don’t neglect your building’s safety. Perform a soft-story retrofit to protect your property, the occupants, and your peace of mind.

So, let’s recap. Foundation cracks? Not an issue. You can patch them, or just monitor. Realtors—please stop referring property owners to building professionals for consultation on foundation cracks. Let's focus on what really matters: seismic safety.

If you’re ready to secure your building with soft-story retrofit, visit citystructural.com to hear more about how to protect your property and your investment principal.

Thank you for watching. Be sure to like, subscribe, and leave a comment below. Stay informed, stay safe, and remember: foundation cracks are common, and most are not worth worrying about.