Stair Step Brick Cracks __top__
Unlike a vertical or horizontal crack, a stair-step crack follows the mortar joints between bricks. It typically starts near the corner of a window or door and moves diagonally up or down in a zig-zag pattern.
: Water pooling near the foundation exerts hydrostatic pressure or weakens the supporting soil. stair step brick cracks
If the crack is wide (greater than 1/4 inch), or if one side of the crack is protruding outward while the other is recessed (shearing), you have active structural movement. This is common near garage doors or large window openings where there is less structural support. Unlike a vertical or horizontal crack, a stair-step
Not all stair-step cracks require immediate intervention. Here is how to tell the difference: Unlike a vertical or horizontal crack