How To Identify and Repair a Sinking Foundation (2024 Guide) (2024)

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Written byAngela BuntUpdated 03/20/2024

Angela Bunt

Angela Bunt is an accomplished writer and editor with more than a decade of experience producing consumer-facing content. She has previously written and edited in the lifestyle, music, and health categories, but has specialized in home improvement content since becoming a homeowner. Her work has…

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Your home’s foundation sits on layers of soil that can shift under the weight of the structure. Some shifting and settling is normal, but a sinking foundation is a serious problem you should address immediately. Our guide covers the warning signs and causes of a sinking foundation, plus steps you can take to remedy the situation.

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How To Identify and Repair a Sinking Foundation (2024 Guide) (2)

Foundation Crack Repair

Foundation crack repair costs between $250 and $800.

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How To Identify and Repair a Sinking Foundation (2024 Guide) (3)

Foundation Leak Repair

Depending on severity, leak repair can range from $2,300–$7,300.

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How To Identify and Repair a Sinking Foundation (2024 Guide) (4)

Sinking Foundation Repair

The average cost for sinking foundation repair ranges from $600–$3,000.

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Warning Signs of a Sinking Foundation

Some warning signs of a sinking foundation include cracked drywall, wall gaps, and a leaning chimney. Learn more about these signs and others below.

Cracked Drywall or Floors

The pressure and distortions caused by a sinking foundation can manifest as cracks in your walls and ceilings,often occurring near corners or around doors and windows.

Cracks in your foundation, drywall, and floors are normal as your house ages,but floor or drywall cracks that have the following characteristics warrant further investigation by afoundation inspector:

  • Diagonalcracks(45-degree angle)
  • Crackswiderthan 1/8inch
  • Cracks that arewider at one end than the other
  • Horizontal cracks

Gaps Between Walls, Windows, or Cabinets

You may have abad foundationif you notice your window frames, doorframes, or cabinets pulling away from your walls. There may also be gaps between your wall and chair molding or between the kitchen backsplash and countertop. These fixtures can pull away from the wall and shift when a weak foundation moves and sinks.

Gapsbetween the floor and wall or between the baseboard and wall could allowmoisture and pests inside your home.

Leaning Chimney

You may not notice your chimney leaning when your foundation first starts sinking because it takes years for this structure to shift. However, you’ll eventually see a space between the chimney and your home’s exterior. Moisture can collect in the gap between your chimney and foundation, resulting in mold growth.

Misaligned Doors and Windows

Humidity and temperature changes can cause doors and windows to swell and shrink, making them difficult to operate. However, a sinking foundation or uneven settling could also be the culprit. These issues can put pressure on the frames, causing them to warp or creating gaps. Check for foundation cracks if you suspect a sinking foundation is the cause for your misaligned doors or windows.

Musty Basem*nts

Moisture can enter through tiny cracks in your basem*nt or crawl space when your foundation shifts, leading to rotting wood and mildew growth. Mold can also grow if you have excess moisture in your basem*nt. Exposure to mold over time could affect your health, so it’s important to identify and address the underlying cause of yourmusty basem*ntas soon as possible.

Protruding Nails

Another sign of a house sinking is protruding nails in your walls, sometimes referring to as “nail pops.” When a structurally unstable foundation shifts, thehouse’s weight is redistributed, and the extra pressure may cause the wall studs to bend and jut out.If a sinking foundation is behind your nail pops, could see several loose or protruding nails.

Sagging Ceilings or Floors

Floors and ceilings rely on the stability of the walls and beams supported by the foundation. Sinking or uneven settling causes these beams to tilt, twist, or bow, resulting in visible sagging in floors and ceilings. Your floor might develop noticeable dips or slopes in various areas, or you may hear new creaks as you walk around. Similarly, your ceilings might develop dips or appear wavy.

What Causes a Foundation To Sink?

Foundations can sink for several reasons, such as changes in the weather, poor home construction, and soil composition.

Changes in Weather

Extreme temperature and moisture fluctuations can cause foundation problems. Specifically, ice formations can develop under your home when damp soil freezes, expanding and shifting your foundation upward. It’s normal for soil to contract and expand depending on how much water it absorbs, but these freeze-thaw cycles can cause foundation issues if the soil wasn’t compacted or prepared properly.

Natural Disasters

Major flooding events can erode and destabilize the soil around the foundation,causing significant sinking. Seismic activity can also cause sinking. In earthquake-prone areas,even well-constructed foundations can be affected.

Soil Composition

If the soil beneath the foundation wasn’t adequately compacted during construction, it can settle over time, leading to sinking. Sandy soil can compress under the weight of your home, causing a shift in the foundation. Clay soil might dry and shrink or expand and push upward due to drought, broken water lines, improper drainage, or even tree root activity. The soil underneath your home may also shift if a contractor built the house over swampy land.

Poor Construction

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has outlined foundation requirements that home builders must follow when building a home. Homes built more than 50 years ago may not be up to code, which could result in structural damage over time.

Even if a contractor has built your house to code, its foundation can still shift due to mortar joint structures that absorb moisture.

If the foundation wasn’t designed or built to properly support the weight of the structure,it can eventually sink under the pressure. Improper reinforcement or the use of unsuitable materials can lead to structural weaknesses and eventual sinking.

Failing to install a proper footing is one construction issue that could cause a foundation to sink over time. That’s the problem Mark McCullough uncovered in the video below. Watch him walk host Kevin O’Connor through the problem and his process for adding footings to an existing home:

What To Do About a Sinking Foundation

A contractor may be able to lift your home to make repairs if it’s a mild or moderate home foundation issue. A contractor will cut your house from its foundation and lift it using a hydraulic jack. A wooden, steel, plastic, or concrete crib wall will temporarily support your home while the contractor installs a new foundation or extends the existing one.

More severe foundation problems will be more expensive and likely require a combination of solutions to fix the issue.

Most repair methods involve underpinning, which reinforces an existing foundation. The contractor will lift the house using a hydraulic jack and installs beams, or piers, into the ground, stabilizing the structure.

We’ve listed three piering methods below:

Steel push piers connect your foundation footing to supportive soil or bedrock beneath your home. Hydraulic rams push the pier sections deep into the ground, typically below the frost line, until they reach a stable layer. The weight of your home is then transferred from the existing foundation to the piers and underlying support.

Helical piers typically consist of a hollow steel shaft with helical blades attached. Specialized machinery rotates the pier into the ground like a screw, with the blades gripping the soil as they turn deeper. Once reaching the desired depth and load-bearing capacity, the pier continues to rotate until a predetermined torque is achieved. As with push piers, steel brackets connect the pier to the foundation footing.

Slab piers are specifically designed to stabilize slab foundations. The contractor drills small holes through the slab in strategic locations to allow access to the soil. Piers are driven through the access holes and into the soil until they reach stable, load-bearing ground. Adjustable brackets allow for precise leveling and connect the piers to the underside of the slab.

Here are two other options to fix your foundation without underpinning:

This fairly new process involves grout or resin injections. A contractor injects resin or grout into the void under your foundation slab. You can’t use this treatment unless the foundation is completely dry because the resin won’t bond to the concrete properly. The injections don’t perform well below the water table or in freeze-and-thaw areas. Consult an expert during a foundation inspection before going this route.

Restumping, also known as reblocking, is when the contractor replaces the cracked foundation with a new one. You’ll need to jack the house to get to the stumps, and when a foundation stump is compromised, you can replace the damaged stump.

Should I Hire a Professional for Foundation Repair?

Foundation repair can be expensive, but tackling this project yourself is risky and could result in further damage. For example, homeowners who try to fix their sinking foundation often use a self-leveling compound or concrete haunches. These temporary fixes can actually cause more sinking.

QUICK Tip

A do-it-yourself (DIY) approach may be fine for repairing foundation cracks—especially cosmetic, hairline cracks. However, repairing the cracks without addressing the underlying problem can jeopardize your safety and compromise the structural integrity of your home.

It’s easier to fix small structural issues in interior walls, such as vertical cracks, by filling them with a resin injection. Exterior walls that line your perimeter sit on concrete and require special tools and expertise that most homeowners don’t have, making them much more difficult to repair.

Our Conclusion

We recommend hiring a foundation repair expert to fix a sinking foundation because most homeowners don’t have the tools or skills to fix it on their own. Enlist a structural engineer to perform a foundation inspection, and obtain multiple quotes before hiring a contractor for the repair. If you need help covering the cost, the federal government does offer a few assistance programs that make home repairs and renovations more affordable.

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FAQ About Sinking Foundations

How serious is a sinking foundation?

A sinking foundation isn’t something you should ignore. Your home’s alignment could worsen and compromise the safety and stability of your home if you don’t address the issue immediately.

When should I be worried about foundation settling?

You should be worried about foundation settling if you notice horizontal cracks on your foundation walls, cracks in your floors, foundation cracks at a 45-degree angle, or gaps between your walls and cabinets. You’ll also want to keep an eye on a sinking foundation if one side of the foundation is higher than the other or if you have a leaning chimney.

Do foundation cracks mean my foundation is sinking?

Not necessarily. Although foundation cracks can be a sign of a sinking foundation, they can have other causes. Hairline cracks, for instance, can occur naturally as concrete cures and may not indicate a serious problem.

How much does it cost to fix a sinking foundation?

It generally costs between $2,174 and $7,828 to fix a foundation, with the average cost being approximately $4,998*.

*Cost data via Angi.

Who should I contact first if I suspect a sinking foundation?

If you suspect a sinking foundation, start by contacting a qualified structural engineer. They can accurately diagnose the issue and provide an unbiased recommendation regarding next steps. Avoid relying solely on contractors or general handymen.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at [email protected].

More on Foundations

  • How Much Does Foundation Repair Cost? (2024 Pricing)

  • How Much Does a Foundation Inspection Cost? (2024 Guide)

  • What Is a Block Foundation? (2024 Guide)

  • Seller Didn’t Disclose Foundation Problems: What To Do

How To Identify and Repair a Sinking Foundation (2024 Guide) (2024)

FAQs

How To Identify and Repair a Sinking Foundation (2024 Guide)? ›

How to Fix a Sinking Foundation. We use a few different several foundation repair methods. The most effective way to help repair settlement issues is piering, which is also referred to as underpinning and piling. Essentially, these piering methods transfer the weight of your home to more stable soil.

How to identify sinking foundation? ›

You may have a sinking foundation if you notice:
  1. Clear foundation cracks, especially if they are wider at the top than the bottom.
  2. Cracks in the walls, especially around windows and doors.
  3. Doors and windows that stick and/or are hard to open.
  4. Uneven floors throughout the home.
Feb 22, 2021

Can a sinking foundation be fixed? ›

How to Fix a Sinking Foundation. We use a few different several foundation repair methods. The most effective way to help repair settlement issues is piering, which is also referred to as underpinning and piling. Essentially, these piering methods transfer the weight of your home to more stable soil.

How much foundation sinking is too much? ›

If your foundation is settling into the soil beneath it, experts consider anything more than 1 inch for every 20 feet as too much.

Does insurance cover sinking foundation? ›

Key Takeaways: Homeowners insurance typically covers foundation damage caused by a covered peril, such as fire, vandalism, falling objects, or certain natural disasters. Damage from normal wear and tear, insufficient maintenance, or ground settling is usually not covered.

Can you lift a sinking foundation? ›

You may also be able to use push piers, slab piers, or helical piers to lift the foundation if the soil just isn't strong enough. This system pushes down to the bedrock and transfers your home's weight to the bedrock, alleviating weight elsewhere.

How much does it cost to raise a sinking foundation? ›

The average cost for sinking foundation repair ranges from $500 to $3,000. Leak repairs can cost as little as $2,000 or as much as $7,000 depending on severity.

Can you fix foundation problems yourself? ›

While store-bought repair kits may be considered for cracks and other damage, DIY solutions pose safety risks and are not recommended. Contact a professional for an inspection and a holistic, long-term solution for foundation repair.

How do you level a sinking foundation? ›

The Best House Leveling Method For a Settling Foundation
  1. Concrete Slab Leveling. Concrete slab leveling seeks to level the house by lifting the concrete slabs that hold up the foundation. ...
  2. Push Piers. ...
  3. Helical Piers.

How much does it cost to test foundation? ›

A foundation inspection costs $600 on average. Most homeowners spend between $300 and $3,000 . When it comes to a home foundation inspection, most consumers pay anywhere from $300 to $3,000 , though the average price is $600 .

How does a structural engineer inspect a foundation? ›

–A visual inspection of the foundation

The structural engineers will look at the foundation/basem*nt walls and check for signs of structural movement like ceiling/wall cracks or sloped/uneven floors inside the home as well as moisture, mildew or general water inside the basem*nt.

Why is foundation repair so expensive? ›

Replacing a foundation is expensive because it's a major construction project. However, if your foundation is still in good working condition and has only experienced settlement then replacing it may not be necessary.

What happens if you don't fix sinking foundation? ›

Plumbing lines can be broken from the weight of a settling foundation. Also, unchecked structural damage reaching building walls may compromise above-ground water pipes that run within them. Repairing damage to these pipes can be particularly costly as they are in hard to reach areas where DIY repairs aren't feasible.

When to walk away from foundation issues? ›

You should walk away from a house with foundation issues if the problem will cost too much to fix and the seller won't lower the price to compensate. Because we know someone reading this is considering it… Yes, you can live in a house with a foundation problem, for a period of time. However, you shouldn't.

What does a sinking foundation look like? ›

Sinking or uneven settling causes these beams to tilt, twist, or bow, resulting in visible sagging in floors and ceilings. Your floor might develop noticeable dips or slopes in various areas, or you may hear new creaks as you walk around. Similarly, your ceilings might develop dips or appear wavy.

How do you know if concrete is sinking? ›

6 Signs That Your Concrete Slab Is Sinking
  1. Visible Depressions or Fractures. ...
  2. Pitting, Flaking, and Staining. ...
  3. Multiple Trip and Fall Occurrences. ...
  4. Visible Gaps and Voids. ...
  5. Noticeable Difference Between Other Concrete Areas. ...
  6. The Ground Feels Funny When You Walk Over It.

How do I know if water is under my foundation? ›

Wet or smelly floors – If the water seeps through the concrete into the floor, you may notice damp spots or musty smells coming from the floor or walls. Foundation shifting or cracking – One of the most severe consequences of a slab leak is foundation heaving.

How do you know if your foundation is heaving? ›

Signs of Foundation Heave
  1. Cracked drywall, brickwork, doorframes, and window frames.
  2. Window/doorframes become out of square, causing sticky doors and windows.
  3. Lifted sidewalks, patios, and garden sheds.
  4. Tilted/askew slab sections.
  5. Cracks in slab.

How to tell the difference between house settling and foundation problems? ›

Most of the time, normal foundation settling will present as thin cracks in the foundation and minor creaks in the floorboards. In contrast, you can identify foundation issues by wide or uneven foundation cracks, horizontal or step-shaped gaps on the foundation wall, or cracks that go around corners of your foundation.

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