Why are my 6×6 post cracking?

While extreme loading can cause a wood beam to split and would indicate a sign of impending disastrous collapse, usually the splits or cracks found in wooden posts and beams are due to shrinkage as wood dries, occur along the grain, and do not raise a structural concern.

What causes cracks in basement?





Small cracks in the basement floor commonly result from shrinkage as the concrete dries, which pulls the concrete apart. These types of cracks can show up as long as a year after the basement floor is poured, depending on how quickly the slab dries and how humid the basement is.

Should I be worried about cracks in my basement wall?

“Major” cracks are anything more than ¾ wide with a leaning foundation. Finding these cracks would be cause for concern and could signal a much more costly, structural problem. When cracks become this severe, the best course of action is to consult a professional foundation specialist or a structural engineer.

Are cracks in beams normal?

As the moisture from solid wood posts and beams dries out and the wood cures, shrinkage produces not only checking (large cracks that are normal and are typically not a concern) but also an actual reduction in beam or posts dimensions.

How do I keep my wooden post from splitting?

If your posts are cracking, it’s likely because they are brittle and dry. Apply some type of wood stain or sealer containing natural wood oil to bring back a supple quality to the wood to prevent further problems.

Why do wooden posts split?





Splits and cracks will occur in timber as it expands and contracts with humidity and temperature changes. They will occur particularly in the round pole timbers, but also in square cut timber and they are in new sets as well as old.

How can you tell if a crack is structural?

As the name suggests, structural cracks occur because of poor construction sites, overloading or poor soil bearing.



Telltale signs of structural cracks in your foundation are:

  1. Stair-step cracks.
  2. Cracks on foundation slabs or beams.
  3. Vertical cracks that are wide at the bottom or top.
  4. Cracks measuring 1/8″ in width.


When should I be concerned about cracks in basement floor?

Cracks Wider Than 1/8-Inch



Small to medium-sized cracks in your basement floor are natural and should not worry you. These do not indicate a larger problem. Cracks greater than 1/8 of an inch wide will require sealing with masonry and concrete-specific elastomeric caulking sealant.

When should I be worried about cracks in my foundation floor?



You can start to worry when you see,

  1. Cracks that are wider than 1/10 inch.
  2. Cracks that are wider at one end.
  3. Cracks that are getting bigger over time.
  4. Stair step cracks in brickwork.
  5. Horizontal foundation cracks, with or without bowing.
  6. Several vertical cracks near each other.
  7. Big, diagonal cracks.

Why do posts crack?

Pressure and moisture are the big crack culprits. New wood is wetter inside than many homeowners realize. Not only is there natural moisture, but lumber is often treated with chemicals to prevent rot. As the sun dries your new wood fence, it sucks out moisture, putting pressure on wood fibers.

Are cracks in wood posts normal?

Cracking and checking is a normal part of timber frame buildings, fences, and furniture and is very rarely a result of any structural issues. Cracking and checking of timber is actually a very natural part of the life cycle of wood – even once it’s been cut, shaped, and prepared for building.

Where do cracks in concrete beams usually occur?



So, cracks due to corrosion of reinforcement appear at the bottom of the beam. These cracks generally appear near the side face of the beam near the bottom reinforcement along the its length as shown in figure below.

What causes pressure treated wood to crack?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Which then causes even more tension. And the cracks get bigger and bigger it's really that simple that's why you're treated lumber cracks. If you don't want your treated lumber to crack.

At which point is the wood beam most likely to crack?

Diagonal tension is the main cause of the crack. Near the supports is where this crack is most likely to be seen.

What causes cracks in beams?

Several types of cracks occur in concrete beams due to shear stress called as shear crack, reinforcement corrosion, insufficient rebar cover, bending stress and compression failure. The occurrence of various crack patterns in the building mostly takes place during construction and/or after completion.

Why do wood beams crack?



The most common cause of wooden support beams cracking is the drying of wood. This happens especially when the timber used is green or not properly dried. But this is not usually harmless and does not affect the structural integrity of the beam. Beams can crack due to rot or pest damage.

What do vertical cracks in foundation mean?

Vertical Foundation Cracks



They’re usually caused by rains that exert pressure on the foundation or concrete tension in newly built homes (every two years or so). Vertical cracks tend to slant slightly (within 30 degrees). To seal them, water-resistant epoxy or polyurethane injection is applied to the cracks.

How do you repair a cracked support beam?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: We're here with a RT advanced repair. Technology using their flex tech which is in a two-part epoxy that me and Jeff into cracks or we can mold into anything you basically want to restore. The

How much does it cost to replace support beams under a house?

Support Beam Replacement



The average cost of replacing a support beam in a home’s living space or basement is $6,500 to $25,000 or more. Replacing a beam in a crawl space will likely cost between $1,500 and $4,000, and the average cost to repair or clean a crawl space is about $6,000.

How do you replace a load bearing post?



Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Back here with these longer posts these longer joists that go all the way across. And. So I'm going to tie things together first off. So it's less likely to slump when I take the weight off.