Cracks or fractures larger than a ¼ of an inch in your home’s foundation, floors, walls, brick siding, fireplaces, or chimneys can indicate a serious issue. However, it is acceptable for hairline cracks to develop within the first few years after the home’s construction. The direction of the crack(s) also matters. Vertical cracks are often less severe than horizontal ones, as the former run along the same direction as wall building materials such as plaster or sheetrock. Horizontal cracks, however, can indicate that the entire house foundation perimeter is experiencing an unacceptable amount of pressure. Cracks can always be filled or addressed with
house leveling, but the underlying factors need to be addressed first and foremost.
