Structure & Foundation
Structure & foundation guides for everyday homeowners
Learn how to read cracks, movement, and moisture around your home with our structure & foundation guides, so you can tell the difference between normal settling and problems that need professional attention.
No scare tactics. No jargon. Just what you need to know to stay ahead of leaks and backups.
Quick view: does this need urgent attention?
Sudden new crack wider than a pencil? Mark, photograph, and contact a pro.
Doors that just started sticking everywhere? May point to movement—get it checked.
Active water around foundation walls? Manage water now to avoid structural damage later.
If something changes quickly—or you simply feel uneasy—treat it as a priority. Early advice is usually cheaper than waiting.
Start with what you’re seeing today
Pick the issue that looks most like what you’re noticing now. Each guide walks through simple checks, monitoring tips, and when it’s time to call a structural or foundation specialist.
Wall or ceiling cracks
Learn which crack patterns are mostly cosmetic, which ones hint at movement, and how to track changes over time.
Basement or foundation cracks
Compare hairline vs. wider cracks, vertical vs. horizontal, and know when movement or bowing becomes a structural concern.
Sloping floors, sticking doors, or gaps
Figure out when quirks in an older home are mostly cosmetic and when they may signal ongoing movement or support issues.
Water in basement or along foundation
Learn how gutters, grading, and drainage affect your foundation—and which fixes to try before expensive interior systems.
Popular structure & foundation guides
Start with these guides if you’re trying to understand how serious an issue might be—and what a reasonable plan (and budget) looks like before you talk with a contractor.
Foundation Cracks 101: What’s Normal, What’s Not & When to Call a Pro
Compare real-world examples by width, location, and pattern so you can sort harmless shrinkage cracks from movement that needs expert attention.
Basement Water & Dampness: Fixes That Actually Help Your Foundation
Learn which drainage and gutter upgrades most pros recommend first—and how to avoid overspending on interior systems before you manage outside water.
Sticking Doors, Sloping Floors & Gaps: When to Be Concerned
Walk through practical tests and monitoring tricks so you can tell if movement is active, seasonal, or mostly cosmetic.
How to Hire a Foundation or Structural Contractor Without Getting Pressured
Questions to ask, red flags in sales pitches, and how to compare repair options and warranties.
Understand your home’s structure in simple pieces
Instead of treating your house as one big mystery, break it into parts—so you can trace cracks and movement back to the most likely causes.
Soils, footings & foundation walls
How soil type, moisture, and footings work together—and why controlling water is usually step one.
Framing, beams & support posts
Floor framing, load paths, and common issues in basements and crawlspaces like rot, rust, and undersized posts.
Walls, ceilings & finishes
Why drywall cracks form, how repairs are done, and what repeated cracking can say about movement behind the scenes.
Roof, exterior & drainage
How gutters, downspouts, grading, and hard surfaces move water—and how that ties back to foundation health.
DIY or call a pro?
Use this quick comparison to decide when a project is a reasonable homeowner task and when it’s safer—and usually cheaper in the long run—to bring in a qualified professional.
Generally OK for careful DIY
Low-risk tasks focused on monitoring, maintenance, and improving drainage—not altering structure.
Jobs to leave to a pro
These can change how your home carries loads or traps water—mistakes here get expensive quickly.
Structure & foundation red-flag list
Stop and call a pro if you notice:
If you’re unsure, document what you see, turn water sources away from the area, and get a qualified opinion.
Structure & foundation questions homeowners ask most
These short answers are a starting point—each FAQ links to a deeper guide if you want the full details and diagrams.
How wide is “too wide” for a crack in my foundation?
As a rough rule of thumb, hairline shrinkage cracks under the thickness of a credit card are often cosmetic. Cracks you can easily fit a coin or pencil tip into—especially if they’re horizontal or stair-stepped—deserve a closer look from a foundation pro. See the crack width comparison guide
Do I always need an expensive interior drain system for basement water?
Not always. Many homes see big improvements from better gutters, downspout extensions, grading, and exterior drainage fixes first. Interior systems can still be helpful—but it’s smart to address surface water before you invest heavily inside. Compare outside vs inside drainage fixes
When is it worth paying for a structural engineer instead of just a contractor?
Engineers don’t sell repairs—they design them. If you’re facing major, expensive work or conflicting opinions, hiring an engineer for a neutral diagnosis and written plan can help you compare bids and avoid upsells. Learn when to bring in an engineer