{"id":13858,"date":"2026-06-25T13:42:15","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T13:42:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gbu.kyiv.ua\/?p=13858"},"modified":"2026-06-25T13:42:15","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T13:42:15","slug":"rozkryttya-trishhyn-u-stini-z-chasom-yak-vyznachyty-nebezpeku","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gbu.kyiv.ua\/en\/rozkryttya-trishhyn-u-stini-z-chasom-yak-vyznachyty-nebezpeku\/","title":{"rendered":"Crack Widening Over Time: How to Determine the Danger"},"content":{"rendered":"

Crack Widening Over Time: How to Determine the Danger<\/span><\/h2>\r\n

You noticed a crack on the wall of your house. A month passed, and it became slightly wider. Two months later \u2014 a new one appeared nearby. This situation is familiar to many property owners, and the main question that worries them at this moment is: is it dangerous? Crack widening over time is the most important indicator by which specialists determine the degree of threat to a building. A static crack that hasn’t changed for years is one thing. A progressing crack is quite another.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n

Get a consultation<\/a><\/div>\r\n\r\n

How to Determine if a Crack is Widening Over Time<\/span><\/h2>\r\n

The main tool for monitoring crack dynamics is control beacons. These are simple but extremely effective devices that allow tracking whether a crack changes over time.<\/span> The most common types of beacons:<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    \r\n
  1. Gypsum (cement) beacons \u2014 a small strip of mortar applied across the crack. If the crack expands, the beacon cracks or breaks. Important: the beacon is applied directly to the wall body, not to the plaster, otherwise the result will be unreliable.<\/span><\/li>\r\n
  2. Paper (glass) beacons \u2014 a strip of paper or glass glued across the crack. A rupture indicates crack opening.<\/span><\/li>\r\n
  3. Mechanical beacons \u2014 special devices with a scale that allow measuring the crack width with an accuracy of 0.1 mm.<\/span><\/li>\r\n
  4. Marker strip \u2014 the simplest method: draw a control line with a marker across the crack and periodically check its condition.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

    Beacons are installed in places of maximum crack opening. The observation period usually ranges from 1 to 3 months. If during this time the beacon has not broken and the crack has not changed \u2014 it is likely stable and poses no threat.<\/span> Professional inspection of building walls and foundations<\/span><\/a> includes the installation of control beacons and crack dynamics monitoring.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    Which Cracks are Considered Dangerous<\/span><\/h2>\r\n

    Based on state dynamics, cracks are divided into two types:<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      \r\n
    1. Stable (non-progressive) \u2014 cracks that do not change over time. They generally do not pose a threat to structures and require only cosmetic repair.<\/span><\/li>\r\n
    2. Progressing (developing) \u2014 cracks that gradually expand or lengthen. They indicate active structural deformation and require immediate specialist intervention.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

      Particularly dangerous are:<\/span><\/p>\r\n