Wall cracks are often signs of structural issues. While some settling is normal in homes, excessive cracking due to shifting soil can lead to costly repairs if you don’t address them promptly. 

Taking proactive steps can minimize the risk of wall cracks caused by soil movement. This article covers the causes of wall cracks and provides practical solutions to help protect your home’s structure.

Understanding Why Cracks in Walls Happen

Houses naturally shift and settle to some degree over time. Hairline cracks forming above doors, windows, and walls is often a result of minor structural movement. Two key factors influence the frequency and extent of this shifting:

  • The type of soil under and around the house
  • The topography and drainage around the property

Large amounts of water pooling near the foundation can lead to cracks as moisture changes cause soil expansion and contraction. Cracks often appear after periods of warm, dry weather that alter soil moisture levels.

How Expansive Soils Cause Foundation Movement

While the soil around your home may appear solid, it can expand, contract, and shift due to changes in moisture levels. This movement exerts pressure on foundation walls and slabs, often resulting in cracks in indoor finishes. Expansive soils with high clay content are particularly prone to shrink-swell cycles.

In addition to wall and ceiling cracks, signs of expansive soil issues include separations between walls and ceilings, cracks in brick veneer and concrete surfaces, and doors and windows that stick or jam. In severe cases, you may notice uneven floors. 

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5 Steps To Prevent Wall Cracks from Shifting Soil

Implement these five steps to reduce the risk of wall cracks caused by shifting soil:

1. Install Rain Gutters and Downspouts

Proper water management around the home’s exterior prevents soil-related issues. To direct water away from the foundation, install gutters along the entire roofline, make sure your downspouts are properly connected, and extend them at least 5–6 feet away from your house.

Regularly clean gutters and downspouts to prevent clogs and overflow as well.

2. Grade the Soil Around the Foundation

Proper grading helps direct water away from the home’s foundation. If your home isn’t graded correctly, shape the soil around the house to slope away from the foundation. Aim for a slope of 1 inch per foot for the first 10 feet surrounding the house. Fill in any low spots near the foundation with compacted soil.

3. Control Watering Near the Foundation

Overwatering near the foundation can lead to soil saturation and expansion. To prevent this, adjust your sprinkler systems to avoid excessive watering near the house and aim your sprinklers away from your foundation. Consider using drip irrigation for plants near the house to control water distribution.

4. Install a French Drain if Necessary

In cases where neighboring properties slope toward your home, a French drain can help manage excess water. To install a French drain:

  1. Dig a trench along the problem area, sloping away from the house.
  2. Line the trench with landscape fabric.
  3. Fill with gravel and perforated pipe.
  4. Cover with more gravel and soil.

5. Provide Proper Ventilation Under Your House

Adequate ventilation helps maintain consistent moisture levels beneath your home. Moisture buildup can accelerate soil movement, thereby exacerbating structural strain. To improve ventilation, install foundation vents if not already present, keep the vents clear of debris and obstructions, and add a crawl space encapsulation system for severe moisture issues. 

Is Shifting Foundation Movement Preventable?

While some degree of seasonal foundation movement is expected, excellent drainage and moisture control can reduce its impact. Proper grading, gutters, ventilation, and routine inspection of drainage systems help maintain consistent soil moisture year-round.

Construction materials such as helical piers or reinforced concrete may also offer solutions for homes in areas with particularly unstable soil. These materials provide additional support to the foundation, distributing the load more effectively and reducing the strain on the substructure.

Another approach is to use landscaping strategically to tackle excessive water runoff, which can stabilize the soil around your home. Vegetation can reduce erosion and help maintain the grade needed to facilitate rainwater drainage.

With effective moisture control measures in place, minor shifting should not cause significant damage to the home’s structure or require expensive repairs.

Importance of Professional Inspection

While these preventive measures can greatly reduce the risk of wall cracks from shifting soil, sometimes you need professional help. Professionals use specific diagnostic tools to identify and assess foundation problems:

  • Laser levels can evaluate whether the floors are level, pinpointing areas of concern.
  • Soil testing evaluates how expansive or compressive your surrounding earth might be.
  • Engineers often use load transfer tests to determine how much weight a foundation can reliably hold.

Signs that warrant a professional inspection include cracks wider than ¼ inch, cracks that continue to grow or change, and doors or windows that suddenly become difficult to open or close. If you have visible sloping or unevenness in your floors, you need an inspection right away. 

A structural engineer or foundation specialist can provide a thorough assessment and recommend appropriate solutions if significant issues are detected.

Final Thoughts 

While some degree of settling is normal for any home, taking preventive steps can help keep minor shifts from escalating into major problems, saving you significant time, money, and stress in the long run. By adding proper drainage, moisture control, and ventilation measures, you can greatly reduce the risk of structural damage caused by soil movement.

FAQs About Shifting Foundations

What causes minor foundation cracks?

Common culprits of minor cracks include drying lumber, curing concrete, and changing soil moisture.


What does homeowner’s insurance cover for foundations?

Homeowner’s insurance typically does not cover shifting or settling foundation damage. You need separate earthquake or flood policies to cover foundation damage from those specific causes.


How long does foundation repair take?

How long foundation repair takes depends on the method. Mudjacking takes 1–3 days. Steel piers may take 3–5 days, and total reconstruction takes over two weeks. Consult a structural engineer on the best option.


Editorial Contributors
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Jonathon Jachura

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Jonathon Jachura is a two-time homeowner with hands-on experience with HVAC, gutters, plumbing, lawn care, pest control, and other aspects of owning a home. He is passionate about home maintenance and finding the best services. His main goal is to educate others with crisp, concise descriptions that any homeowner can use. Jon uses his strong technical background to create engaging, easy-to-read, and informative guides. He does most of his home and lawn projects himself but hires professional companies for the “big things.” He knows what goes into finding the best service providers and contractors. Jon studied mechanical engineering at Purdue University in Indiana and worked in the HVAC industry for 12 years. Between his various home improvement projects, he enjoys the outdoors, a good cup of coffee, and spending time with his family.

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Amy DeYoung

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Amy DeYoung has a passion for educating and motivating homeowners to improve their lives through home improvement projects and preventative measures. She is a content writer and editor specializing in pest control, moving, window, and lawn/gardening content for Today’s Homeowner. Amy utilizes her own experience within the pest control and real estate industry to educate readers. She studied business, communications, and writing at Arizona State University.

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