House Foundation Cracks: Signs, Causes, and What to Do Next

When you spot a house foundation cracks, visible breaks in the concrete or masonry that supports your home. Also known as foundation damage, these cracks aren’t just cosmetic—they’re clues to what’s happening beneath your floors. Not all cracks are emergencies, but ignoring them can turn a small fix into a $20,000 repair.

Some cracks are normal. Thin, vertical lines that stay under 1/8 inch wide? Usually just from concrete shrinking as it dries. But if you see a horizontal foundation crack, a crack that runs sideways across a wall, often near the bottom. This is a red flag—it means the soil is pushing against your foundation with serious pressure. These often show up in older homes or after heavy rain. Then there’s foundation settlement, the slow sinking or shifting of your home’s base due to unstable soil. It’s common in areas with clay-rich dirt that expands when wet and shrinks when dry. You’ll notice it when doors stick, floors slope, or windows won’t close right.

What makes these problems worse? Poor drainage. Gutters that dump water right next to your foundation, downspouts that are clogged or disconnected, or grading that slopes toward your house—these all feed moisture into the soil. Wet soil expands. Dry soil shrinks. Either way, your foundation gets pushed around. And if you’ve got a foundation repair, any fix applied to stabilize or restore a damaged foundation. Common methods include carbon fiber straps, steel beams, or wall anchors done wrong, you’re just covering up the real issue.

You don’t need to panic the first time you see a crack. But you do need to know when to act. Is the crack wider than a credit card? Is it getting bigger? Are there signs of bowing walls or sticking doors? If yes, it’s time to get a professional in. DIY fixes might look tempting, but if the soil pressure isn’t addressed, your patch job won’t last. The posts below cover real cases—from how much it costs to fix a horizontal crack to what signs mean you’re dealing with a major issue. You’ll also find tips on prevention, what repairs actually work, and why waiting too long can cost you more than just money.