When should we be concerned about cracks and crevices in facades?

99% of buildings suffer from cracks and fissures in their facades, a problem that affects their premature ageing and can cause more serious problems related to the filtration of humidity or the unnecessary loss of energy. This is when cracks in facades should be of concern.

Bearing in mind that the Spanish building stock is ageing at a rate of 3.3% per year, that more than 80% of buildings are over 18 years old and almost half are over 40 years old -according to Andimac data-, the appearance of fissures or cracks is one of the most common and most worrying problems, as practically all buildings suffer from them. Even more so if these cracks affect the façade, the most visible and exposed part of the building.

The typology of these cracks is diverse and caused by different problems, but all of them affect the healthiness of the building. The different types of cracks and fissures in the external walls are entry routes for dampness that can penetrate into the interior of dwellings, causing unpleasant energy losses, increased energy bills or even more serious problems in the structure.

However, although they will always require prior expert analysis to determine their cause and establish the most appropriate procedure for their repair, experts warn that extreme caution should be exercised in the case of deep, thicker and unstabilised cracks, i.e. those that also grow on the surface.

Type of Cracks, from most to least dangerous

In this line, Molins has classified, in order of danger or greater relevance, the cracks that can appear in the façades of our buildings:

• Structural cracks – those arising vertically, horizontally or in the form of ridges – are the most compromised as they are deep and go through different layers of the building’s wall.

These may be due to movements in the structure (construction work, traffic, ground movement, earthquakes, etc.). In these cases, they should always be diagnosed by a technician and checked to see if they are stabilised or not before repairing them correctly.

• On a second level are those that occur due to the expansion of the materials that make up a building as a result of changes in temperature and humidity. Cracks of this type appear obliquely in door and window openings, as well as longitudinally or vertically at the vertices of column junctions.
• Finally, there are the more superficial cracks, shrinkage or crazing, which only affect the cladding and may be caused by high temperatures during application or problems of adhesion to the wall, which must then also be repaired to make it more stable.

Farewell to worries: Molins helps you repair cracks and fissures

Precisely, in order to put an end to cracks, there are different solutions that, among other things, may include the possibility of chipping the façade or the installation of an External Thermal Insulation System (EIFS) to avoid energy losses.

However, if it is not necessary to improve the insulating capacity of the building, there are also simpler integral systems that, in addition to repairing the cracks, protect and give the building a renewed image. All of this can be done in just a few days and without the need to incur costs associated with the removal of rubble, as they do not require the façade to be chipped.

According to David Rodríguez, technical product manager at Molins, “all fissures and cracks are dangerous to a greater or lesser extent due to the penetration of moisture into the interior and the energy losses they cause. However, we must consider that there are comprehensive and sustainable solutions that restore the facades of our buildings to a healthy appearance. In this way, they manage to halt their ageing and prolong their useful life, as well as giving them a facelift that will also affect their revaluation”.

In the following articles and webinar, we bring you more information on how to repair cracks in facades and solve the problem:

• The steps to follow to repair a cracked façade
• Propam Tec, solutions to refurbish your home
• The most common mistakes when waterproofing a façade

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