Structural Repair

Signs of Structural defects

Drywall Cracks

Not all drywall cracks mean there is a serious issue. Drywall may naturally crack due to moisture content in your home, or natural movement of the wood in your home. However, cracks that reappear in the same place after having been correctly repaired, or cracks that appear around doorways and windows like the crack pictured above, can be signs of a structural issue.

Windows/Doors Stuck

Similar to drywall cracks, stuck doors and windows can be caused by normal movement of wood in your home. A window or door that suddenly does not close correctly or a stuck door with a crack in the drywall adjacent to it means there is likely an issue.

Cracks Surrounding A Support Post

A large crack or divot like the one pictured above IS a structural concern. At this point the concrete has already failed, and the support post is not supporting the structure above it properly.

Smaller cracks that surround a column like the one pictured above may not (but still can be) be a concern.

However, we still encourage resolving even minor cracks as water may enter though them.

Roof Sagging

There are several kinds of roof sagging, all of which are serious. If any parts of your roof do not appear flat or straight, it is important to get the underlying issue resolved as soon as possible.

Cracks In Masonry

A crack like the one pictured above appearing on a cinderblock or brick foundation wall is one of the most telling signs of an issue with the foundation. If you have any cracks like this, it is important you have your foundation inspected by a professional.

Soil receding from exterior walls

Soil pulling away from a foundation may not be cause for concern on its own, however when appearing in conjunction with other "symptoms", this can indicate an issue with the foundation.

Floor Sagging/Separating

A sagging floor is almost always indicative of some kind of issue, though it may not necessarily be structural in nature. In a high moisture area like a kitchen or bathroom, a sag like the one pictured above could be caused by water rotted subfloor. In a dry area, a sag like this could be a structural fault.

The inverse of this (a bump), is more typically a sign of a fault.

Frequently Asked Questions

I have some of the sign listed above, does that mean I definitely have a fault?

No, having one or more of the signs described above does not guarantee that there is a structural issue in your home. However, if you do have one or more of the signs as described above, we highly recommend that you have your home inspected for faults.

Are all cracks in the foundation an issue?

Though cracks can be unsettling, they may be benign and not indicate an issue. Like most of the signs described above, a variety of factors go into diagnosing a structural issue.

How costly are repairs?

In many cases, repairs to isolated defects are relatively inexpensive, and are permanent. Repairing or replacing a large area affected by multiple defects or a single defect left to worsen can quickly become costly, which is why we urge making corrections sooner rather than later.

Are repairs covered by insurance?

Repairs to anything damaged by an untreated structural defect will not be covered by insurance, however, in some cases, insurance companies will cover a proactive repair. Insurers handle claims like these on a case-by-case basis, and we will work with you to make your case to your home insurance provider.

How do we determine a defect?

While the identification of most defects is straight-forward, in some cases it may be more difficult to identify the exact cause of the issue. At this point, a specialist may need to be called as well as the opening walls/ceilings in order to proceed. We will always communicate any costs associated with this work before doing so.

What if I have signs of a defect, but no defect is found?

If after your consultation we find there is no cause for concern for your home's structure, we will offer to fix any of the issues that caused you to reach out. We specialize in all kinds of construction, and can correct any issues you may have, structural or otherwise.

Structural Repair Letter