Are foundation walls load-bearing?

• <div><p>Yes. Foundation walls are always load-bearing.</p></div>

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Q: How can you tell if a crack is structural?

• <div><p>Foundation cracks that are 1/8 inch wide or less, aren&rsquo;t uneven across the gap, and don&rsquo;t continue widening over time are usually just normal settling cracks and don&rsquo;t suggest structural issues. Horizontal cracks and stair-step cracks on foundation walls, any cracks that continue widening, are wider than 1/8 inch, or where one side juts out beyond the other, are often indicative of structural damage.</p></div>

Q: Is it okay to drill into a load-bearing beam?

• <div><p>You should avoid drilling or cutting into load-bearing beams because removing material will weaken it and increase the risk of structural damage or even collapse. If you do need to drill into a load-bearing beam, speak with a structural engineer first to discuss where it&rsquo;s safest to drill and the width and depth of the bit that&rsquo;s safe to use.</p></div>

Q: How long does a structural assessment typically take?

• <div><p>A few hours for inspection, with a detailed report following in a week.</p></div>

Q: How deep does a monolithic slab need to be?

• <div><p>The depth of any foundation style depends on your climate and how deep the frost line is, as building code requires that the footers of a foundation&mdash;which are built into a monolithic slab&mdash;sit at least a foot below the frost line. At the southern tip of Florida, for example, a monolithic slab foundation would only need to sit 12 inches under the soil at the widest parts. On some parts of the Canadian border, the frost line is 100 inches, which would mean a minimum of 112 inches, which is prohibitively deep for a monolithic slab.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Structural Engineering pros in Craig, AK

*The Angi rating for Structural Engineering companies in Craig, AK is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Structural Engineering needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Structural Engineering companies in Craig, AK is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Structural Engineering needs.

Last update on November 20, 2025

Reviewed in July 2025
Fast, efficient, reliable. Got it done less than a week. Did structural repairs.
Summit Horizon Contractor Group LLC
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Reviewed in August 2017
Work took much longer than estimated. Then, when the engine died less than a year later, they refused to stand by their work. Ended up going to Specialized Import Auto Repair for a new (used Japanese) engine, and have been very happy with their work.
SUPERIOR AUTOMOTIVE SVC
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Reviewed in November 2016
The owner cleared the blockages, then suggested we have him run a camera through the piping to the septic tank. We discovered that the piping to the septic tank had come off and was lower than the tank inlet. The owner then showed us the septic tank had flaws, and the grade from the septic tank...
Drain Masters Inc
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Reviewed in February 2016
I met the owner and he listed to the engine with a mechanic's stethascope in the parking lot. He said he believed the sound was in the bottom half of the engine and around cylinder's 3 and 4. I explained that I had done a compression test and all 6 cylinders passed with flying colors so I knew...
SAND LAKE AUTOMOTIVE
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Reviewed in February 2016
They pulled the valve cover, inspected and listened to it. Their determination was that it was either a plate between the engine and transmission or the engine needed to be replaced. I paid for their time and labor, then sought another opinion.
SENIOR AUTOMOTIVE
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Reviewed in October 2015
First, let me apologize publicly to all of my friends and acquaintances that I have referred to 'Accurate' over the years. At one time, AJ was a man of integrity who stood behind the work in his shop and I was always positive about referring people to Accurate. AJ has since, come to find out,...
Accurate Import Center Inc
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Reviewed in January 2014
We recently purchased a house that we thought was "move-in ready," as in we wouldn't have to do any remodling or repairs - within 2 weeks of moving in our septic system failed. A+ took care of all the engineering, permitting, and materials procurement for the job. I should have contracted them...
A Plus Home Services Inc
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Reviewed in September 2013
I took my vehicle in to check the engine because the light was on because of a suspected fault with my emissions system. They hooked up my car and said yes, they confirmed it was bad and needed to be replaced, but they said that those issues weren't worth fixing because I had more serious...
TUDOR AUTO CARE
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Reviewed in September 2013
Very nice people, tried to help, but think they do not know Subaru's very well maybe? Engine light came on, they replaced spark plugs, engine light went off, but then on again. They offered to look at it again free of charge. They ran diagnostics and said all is well, light was off, but then...
HALE'S TECHNICAL SVC
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Reviewed in August 2013
Very well. They comped the engine clean because they rolled down the back window and it wouldn't roll back despite hours of effort
Denali Detail LLC
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Structural Engineering questions, answered by experts

Yes. Foundation walls are always load-bearing.

Foundation cracks that are 1/8 inch wide or less, aren’t uneven across the gap, and don’t continue widening over time are usually just normal settling cracks and don’t suggest structural issues. Horizontal cracks and stair-step cracks on foundation walls, any cracks that continue widening, are wider than 1/8 inch, or where one side juts out beyond the other, are often indicative of structural damage.

You should avoid drilling or cutting into load-bearing beams because removing material will weaken it and increase the risk of structural damage or even collapse. If you do need to drill into a load-bearing beam, speak with a structural engineer first to discuss where it’s safest to drill and the width and depth of the bit that’s safe to use.

A few hours for inspection, with a detailed report following in a week.

The depth of any foundation style depends on your climate and how deep the frost line is, as building code requires that the footers of a foundation—which are built into a monolithic slab—sit at least a foot below the frost line. At the southern tip of Florida, for example, a monolithic slab foundation would only need to sit 12 inches under the soil at the widest parts. On some parts of the Canadian border, the frost line is 100 inches, which would mean a minimum of 112 inches, which is prohibitively deep for a monolithic slab.

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