Foundation inspections and crack repair in Monroe, Louisiana
Before anyone talks about leveling or piers, the house should be measured. Here's what an evaluation covers and when patching cracks is the right step.
Most foundation repair starts with a visit. The contractor walks the outside and inside, looks at the cracks and doors, gets under a raised house or reads the floor of a slab one, and records elevations. The point is to separate normal shrinkage cracks and seasonal movement from settlement that needs support.
What should an evaluation include?
- Floor elevation readings with a sketch or map of high and low areas
- A walk around the outside: brick, grading, gutters, trees and where water drains
- For a raised house, a look at the piers, shims, beams, sills and moisture in the crawl space
- An explanation of what's causing the movement, not just a list of what to install
- A written plan with locations and type of every pier or support, if any are recommended
What do different cracks usually mean?
| Crack | What it often means |
|---|---|
| Hairline cracks in a slab or garage floor | Normal concrete shrinkage; usually cosmetic |
| Stair-step cracks in brick veneer | Uneven movement; worth measuring |
| Diagonal drywall cracks at door corners | The frame racking as the foundation shifts |
| Cracks that open in summer and close in winter | Clay shrink-swell; moisture control may help |
| Cracks that keep getting wider | Ongoing settlement; get an evaluation |
When does crack repair make sense?
After the house is stable. Brick can be repointed, slab cracks sealed, and drywall taped once movement has stopped. Patching first usually just means the crack reopens. If the cracks are seasonal and nothing is settling, sealing and better drainage may be all the house needs.
Contractor evaluation or engineer?
Many contractors evaluate as part of bidding. For a large repair, a sale, or bids that disagree, a licensed professional engineer can give an opinion that isn't tied to selling the work. You can look up a Louisiana engineer's license with the Louisiana Professional Engineering and Land Surveying Board (LAPELS).
The contractor sets the price after taking readings and figuring out why the house is moving. We don't quote prices, and nobody can price a leveling or piering job honestly over the phone before they've been under or around the house.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Is a free foundation evaluation really free?
Many contractors don't charge for a bid visit. Engineer reports are usually a paid service. Ask what you'll get in writing either way.
I'm selling my house. Do I need a foundation report?
Buyers' inspectors often flag foundation signs. A written evaluation plus records of any past repairs and warranties helps answer questions. Ask your real estate agent what's typical for your sale.
Related services
- House leveling (raised and pier-and-beam homes)
- Slab foundation repair
- Foundation piers (concrete, steel, helical)
- Foundation drainage and moisture control
More background: Monroe, Louisiana foundation guide.
Floors sloping, doors dragging, or brick cracking after a wet spring?
Call and a local foundation contractor will come take readings and tell you what's moving.