Foundation Corner Pops
That triangle of concrete cracking off the corner of your slab under the brick looks alarming. Most of the time it is not structural. Here is how to tell.
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What a corner pop is
A corner pop is a crack that breaks off a small wedge of concrete at an outside corner of a slab, usually right under the brick. It is extremely common on Texas homes with brick veneer on a slab foundation.
The usual cause is the brick itself. Brick expands in summer heat and over the years. At a corner, two walls of brick push outward against the thin edge of the slab ledge, and the corner snaps. Slab movement can add to the stress, but the pop alone is rarely a sign of foundation failure.
When a corner pop is just cosmetic
- The broken piece is small, roughly a few inches on each side.
- There are no stair-step cracks in the brick above it.
- Doors and windows nearby work normally.
- Floors inside that corner feel level.
When it is worth an inspection
Get the corner looked at if the pop is large, if the crack runs well into the slab, or if it shows up together with brick cracks, sticking doors or a low spot inside near that corner. In those cases the corner may be settling, not just popping, and an elevation survey will show it.
Repair
A cosmetic corner pop is usually repaired by removing the loose piece, cleaning the area and patching it with a bonding agent and repair mortar or epoxy. It is a small job, often a few hundred dollars, and some homeowners do it themselves.
Patching does matter. An open corner lets water reach the steel rebar inside the slab. Rust expands and can break off more concrete over time. Fill it, even if it is cosmetic.
If the corner is settling, the fix is piers at that corner, priced like any other foundation repair. See our foundation repair cost guide for ranges.
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Questions homeowners ask
Will a corner pop get worse?
The pop itself usually does not grow much. Water getting into an unpatched corner can rust the rebar and cause more spalling over time, so patch it.
Does a corner pop hurt resale?
Home inspectors usually note it. Most buyers and inspectors in Texas recognize a small corner pop as common and cosmetic. A patched corner looks better on inspection day.
Is a corner pop covered by a foundation warranty?
Usually not, since it is typically caused by brick expansion rather than settlement. Read your warranty.
Can I patch it myself?
Many homeowners do with a concrete bonding agent and repair mortar from a hardware store. If you are unsure whether it is only cosmetic, have it checked before patching.
Service area
Comal, Guadalupe and Hays County homes, roughly a 35 mile ring around New Braunfels.
Not sure if it is just a corner pop?
Call (830) 626-9042 Monday through Saturday, 7am to 7pm. A local contractor measures first and puts the number in writing.
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