Expansion joints. Foundation settling is a common issue. (See foundation repair contractors section for more information.) Unfortunately, even the most minor foundation settling can stress the walls and lead to cracks at the weakest points, which are often under the corners of windows. The crack usually appears as a step crack directed down and away from the corner of the window. To prevent such cracks, vertical expansion joints are cut through the brick at one or more locations along the wall, and then caulked. If the wall has windows, expansion joints are often cut under the corner of one or more windows. The expansion joints divide the walls into smaller portions that can settle independently.
