Get matched with top foundation repair specialists in Dutton, MT

No, house settling is normal as your home’s foundation settles into the soil below and as the framing of your home shifts as it expands and contracts with changes in temperature and moisture. However, if you get to the point where your doors and windows aren’t opening easily, your floors are uneven, or you can visibly see that your roof line is wavy or uneven, you are more likely to have foundation issues.

If your foundation is unfinished, has surface damage, or is just plain unappealing, foundation refacing can be another great way to increase your curb appeal and give your foundation a fresh look. Used in conjunction with foundation planting, refacing can completely change the look of your foundation and your home. 

Most single-story homes don't have foundations strong enough to support a second story, but they can be reinforced for an addition. A structural engineer can assess your foundation and what needs to be done to get it ready. They'll look at any cracks or unevenness in your current foundation and consider any special framing or beams your home needs, especially if it’s in a high-wind or hurricane area.

“To support a second story, many structural engineers will require that you install additional concrete piers in the crawlspace,” says Tschudi. “This involves hand excavating, pouring a large concrete footing—usually with specially coated rebar—and then building concrete piers right up to the girders.”

Many horizontal cracks in home foundations result from water and soil pressure from outside of the building or from a footing that is shifting. Under those circumstances, horizontal cracks are a structural problem that requires repair before they become worse and more difficult to fix. However, in very specific cases, thin horizontal cracks may simply be a cosmetic blemish due to concrete shrinkage.