Cracked Foundation or Just Settling? Who to Ask for the Truth

If you’ve lived in Calgary for any length of time, you know our soil is as unpredictable as our weather. One day you’re enjoying a Chinook, and the next, you notice a hairline fracture creeping up your basement wall.

The immediate internal panic sets in: Is my house falling down? Or is this just normal “settling”?

Distinguishing between a harmless cosmetic crack and a structural failure is one of the most stressful parts of homeownership. Before you call a foundation repair company and commit to a $20,000 piering job, you need to know who to ask for the unbiased truth.

Understanding the Difference: Settling vs. Shifting

Every house settles. As the weight of the structure compresses the soil beneath it, minor movements occur. This is especially common in new builds within the first 2–5 years. However, structural shifting—caused by poor drainage, soil expansion, or frost heave—is a different beast entirely.

Signs It’s Just Normal Settling:

• Vertical Cracks: Usually caused by the concrete shrinking as it cures.

• Hairline Width: If you can’t fit a credit card into the crack, it’s likely cosmetic.

• Location: Small cracks near the corners of windows or doors are common in Alberta’s climate.

Signs of Serious Foundation Trouble:

• Horizontal Cracks: These often indicate “hydrostatic pressure”—the soil outside is pushing against your walls, which can lead to structural failure.

• Stair-Step Cracks: Often seen in brick or cinder block, this indicates the footings are dropping at different rates.

• Interior Red Flags: If your floors feel sloped or if doors that used to swing freely are now sticking, the “bones” of the house are moving.

Why a Home Inspector is the Source of Truth

At NexLevel Home Inspections, we don’t fix foundations. We don’t sell repair services. Our only product is information. When you book a structural assessment with us, we provide a conflict-free evaluation. We look at the “big picture”—often, a “foundation problem” is actually just a “downspout problem” that can be fixed for $20.

Get the Truth About Your Foundation

Don’t let a small crack cause big stress. Get a professional, third-party perspective from Calgary’s structural experts.

Contact NexLevel Home Inspections Today:

• Website: www.nexlevelinspections.com

• Main Phone: (403) 633-6616

• Secondary Phone: (587) 830-0840

• Head Office 715, 100, 4th Av SW, Calgary, Alberta

• Email: nexlevelinspections@gmail.com

• Service Area: Calgary, Chestermere, Airdrie, Okotoks, and surrounding Southern Alberta areas.