Cracked walls in drywall and brick

Cracks that are usually cosmetic

Thin, straight hairline cracks in drywall or paint, especially at taped seams, often come from materials drying and shrinking. They are common in newer homes and often stay the same size.

Cracks worth a closer look

• Diagonal cracks running from the corners of doors and windows
• Stair-step cracks in brick or block
• Cracks wider at one end than the other
• Cracks that reopen after being patched
• Brick separating from window frames or trim
• Cracks that show up with sticking doors or sloping floors

How to track a crack

Mark each end with a pencil line and the date, and take a photo with a coin or ruler beside it. Check it again every few weeks. Much of this area sits on clay that swells and shrinks with moisture, so cracks may open in a dry summer and close after rain. The full guide is on the signs of foundation problems page.

When a wall leans or bulges

A crack is one thing. A wall that leans, bows or bulges is a different sign, covered on the bowing walls page.

None of these signs proves a foundation problem on its own, and a guide cannot tell you what is happening under your house. Have a qualified pro inspect it before you decide on any repair.

For typical national price ranges, including crack sealing and piering, see the foundation repair cost guide. Those are national figures, not quotes.

Related guides

• Signs of foundation problems
• Foundation repair cost
• Sloping floors
• Sticking doors and windows
• Bowing walls
• Helical vs push piers
• Piers vs mudjacking
• Crawl space repair
• Local partners and resources
• Home

Last updated October 2026.