Brown stains on the ceiling, cracks above a door, a crack in the basement wall. These guides explain what is normal, what points to a leak or movement, and when to call a roofer, plumber or structural engineer.
Common wall, ceiling and foundation problems
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Cracks in the Ceiling: Normal Settling or a Structural Problem?
Most ceiling cracks are hairline cracks along drywall seams. Wide, growing or sagging cracks, or cracks with water stains, deserve a closer look.
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Cracks in Walls: Which Ones Are Cosmetic and Which Mean Trouble
Hairline cracks above doors are usually cosmetic. Wide, diagonal, horizontal or growing cracks can mean settling or structural movement. How to read and monitor wall…
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Foundation Cracks: Vertical, Diagonal or Horizontal and What Each Means
Small vertical foundation cracks are often from settling or concrete shrinkage. Horizontal cracks, wide cracks and growing cracks are signs to get an engineer.
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Water Stain on the Ceiling: Finding the Leak Before You Paint
Brown ceiling stains come from roof leaks, plumbing leaks, HVAC condensate or condensation. How to find the source by location and shape, and how to…
Before you start
Hairline cracks are common as houses settle and seasons change. Cracks that are wider than about 1/4 inch, keep growing, run horizontally in a foundation wall, or come with sticking doors and sloping floors deserve a professional inspection.