Signs worth investigating
- Horizontal cracking or inward wall movement
- Stair-step cracks in masonry joints
- A crack that widens, leaks repeatedly, or shows displacement
- Sticking doors, uneven floors, or new gaps elsewhere in the home
What a careful evaluation should cover
- Record the crack location, direction, width, and visible displacement.
- Look for exterior drainage or soil conditions that may contribute pressure.
- Determine whether the repair is intended to seal water or restore structural capacity.
- Seek engineering input when structural movement is suspected.
Before approving work
Questions to ask the contractor
- Is this a water-sealing repair or a structural repair?
- What caused the crack, based on the inspection?
- Should an independent engineer review it?
- How will future movement or leakage be handled?