Crack Causes
Understand what causes foundation cracks. Learn about soil movement, water damage, settlement, and structural issues.
What Happened to Our Foundation After Removing a 60-Year-Old Maple
A diagonal crack showed up on our basement wall eight months after we took down a 60-year-old silver maple. Here is what...
May 19, 2026How Drought Cycles Damage Foundations
Reference guide explaining how drought cycles cause foundation damage, including soil shrinkage mechanics, settlement pa...
May 16, 2026When Greg's Sump Pump Died During a Three-Day Storm
A failed sump pump turned a stable foundation crack into a serious problem. Dave Morrison shares what happened to his ne...
May 10, 2026When a Failed Septic System Cracked the Foundation
When a leach field saturates the soil under a foundation, cracks can appear within weeks. Here is what one homeowner wen...
May 7, 2026My Neighbor Carol's Flower Beds Cracked Her Foundation
A firsthand account of how overwatering garden beds against a foundation wall created hydrostatic pressure, diagonal cra...
Apr 28, 2026How Gutter and Downspout Problems Lead to Foundation Cracks
Clogged gutters and misdirected downspouts are among the most overlooked causes of foundation water damage. Here's what...
Apr 22, 2026When Nearby Construction Damaged My Neighbor's Foundation
How to identify and document foundation damage caused by nearby construction activity. A real account of vibration crack...
Apr 16, 2026The Crack That Got Worse After the Storm
A minor basement crack tripled in width after a two-day rainstorm. Dave Morrison shares what happened, what he learned a...
Apr 10, 2026Vehicle Traffic and Foundation Cracks: What Heavy Road Vibration Actually Does
Heavy vehicle traffic and road vibration can contribute to foundation cracks over time. Here's what I learned helping a...
Mar 31, 2026Nearby Construction and Foundation Crack Damage
Pile driving, blasting, and heavy equipment from nearby construction can damage your foundation. Learn how vibration cau...
Mar 28, 2026How Window Well Drainage Problems Lead to Foundation Cracks
Poorly draining window wells are a common and underappreciated cause of foundation cracking. Learn how to identify drain...
Mar 27, 2026How Improper Concrete Curing Causes Foundation Cracks
Improper concrete curing is one of the leading causes of early foundation cracking. Learn how curing works, what goes wr...
Mar 10, 2026The Crack That Showed Up After the New Patio Was Poured
My neighbor Dennis got a new patio poured and cracks appeared in his foundation within months. Here's how added weight n...
Feb 9, 2026Garage Foundation Cracks: Why They Happen and What to Do
My garage slab cracked after a wet spring. My neighbor Kent explained why garages are more vulnerable to foundation dama...
Feb 4, 2026Poor Drainage and Foundation Damage
Learn how poor yard drainage damages foundations through soil erosion, hydrostatic pressure, and settlement. Guide to id...
Jan 18, 2026Basement Water Problem FAQs
Water in your basement? Common questions about leaking foundation cracks, waterproofing options, and when water damage b...
Dec 30, 2024Climate and Temperature Effects on Foundations
Moved from Minnesota to Texas and learned a whole different set of foundation problems. Here's what climate does to foun...
Dec 30, 2024Earthquake Foundation Cracks
My cousin's house survived Northridge but needed $18,000 in repairs. Here's what earthquakes do to foundations and why r...
Dec 30, 2024Expansive Clay Soil Foundation Damage
My college roommate in Austin waters his foundation during drought. Sounds crazy until you understand what expansive cla...
Dec 30, 2024Frost Heave Foundation Damage
My 1978 house has been battling frost heave for 45 winters. Here's what frozen ground does to foundations and how to tel...
Dec 30, 2024Hydrostatic Pressure and Foundation Cracks
I watched Cliff's basement wall bow an inch and a half over two weeks. Here's what hydrostatic pressure does to foundati...
Dec 30, 2024Plumbing Leak Foundation Damage
My friend's water bill went up $47 a month. Two years later, his foundation had settled 2 inches. Here's how plumbing le...
Dec 30, 2024Poor Construction and Foundation Cracks
My friend bought a new construction home. Three years later, cracks everywhere. Here's what went wrong during building a...
Dec 30, 2024Normal Settling vs Structural Movement
All houses settle. Not all settling is a problem. How to tell normal settling from dangerous structural movement. The di...
Dec 30, 2024Soil Settlement and Foundation Cracks
My uncle ignored settlement cracks for 15 years. Here's what I learned about how soil movement causes foundation cracks...
Dec 30, 2024Tree Root Foundation Damage
My neighbor loved his willow tree. His foundation didn't. Here's what I learned about how trees destroy foundations and...
Dec 30, 2024Water Damage and Foundation Cracks
I spent $89 on downspout extensions after $2,400 in foundation repairs. Here's what I learned about how water destroys f...
Dec 30, 2024