Your home's foundation is very important, but many homeowners don't pay attention to it until it's too late.

A foundation problem could jeopardize the structural soundness of your home and make it impossible to sell without first being fixed.

Water damage and soil erosion are the main culprits of foundation cracks, usually caused by climate changes, downspouts not extended away from the home properly, or overflowing gutters.

Left unchecked, a settling foundation could lead to thousands of dollars in damage.

"A foundation can fail for a number of reasons and it can happen on any age of house. A lot of times people think it only happens in older homes, but it can happen in a new home. Usually it's a result of soil eroding away from the house or water damage. Gutters can really be the biggest culprit to foundation and basement problems,” Angie Hicks from Angie’s List said.

The first line of defense is you, the homeowner.

"It's going to be important for you as a homeowner to inspect the foundation of your house regularly. Walk around see if you see any cracks. At the first sign of a crack you should have someone come out and look at it because you don't want to let it go because it could lead to costlier repairs,” Hicks said.

“The first option would be to repair what's causing the problem and monitor it for a little while, maybe a year or two to see if it's going to quit moving. If it quits moving, you don't necessarily need the foundation repair. The second option would be to put a foundation piering system on the house that would actually restore it back to its original position,” foundation repairman Ron Bowen said.

If your foundation is in good shape, it's your job to keep it that way.

"It's going to be really important for your home's foundation to be sure your cleaning your gutters regularly, and also that the gutter that flows away from your downspout goes out at least 10 feet. Otherwise it's just dumping the water right there at the base of your house. Also, be sure that the dirt that's up around your house or the sod is also sloping away from your house because you don't want that to settle in and cause water to run down beside the house,” Hicks said.

If you're faced with foundation damage, there are companies that specialize in foundation repair but you want to be sure you are working with a reputable company.

Do your research, talk to people who've had similar issues and then find out how much it's going to cost. If you want a second opinion, get one. A lot of times a structural engineer is a good second opinion.

Some signs of foundation damage include moisture in the basement or crawl space, cracks on walls, uneven flooring and misaligned doors and windows.

Indicators of a foundation problem:

• Cracks on walls, often in a stair-step pattern.


• Moisture in the basement or crawlspace


• Uneven flooring


• Misaligned doors and windows

When foundation problems arise, there are two common solutions.

Piering system: Steel rods are inserted under the foundation and stabilize (and in some cases lift) the foundation.

Underpinning or mudjacking: A more economical solution in which concrete is injected under the slab to stabilize it, however, mudjacking is often only a temporary fix.

Angie's List, tips on repair and inspection.

Check gutters and downspouts: The best thing a homeowner can do to prevent their home from settling is to make sure the gutters are clean and the downspouts are out at least 10 feet away from the home, going away from the foundation.

Inspect once a year: It's important to inspect your home annually for signs of foundation settlement and address any issues immediately. The longer the problem lingers, the more it costs to fix.

Know what to expect: Especially if your foundation problem reaches the point of having to have major work done. This process often involves extensive digging and bringing in large equipment including a concrete mixer.

Communicate with contractor: Talk with the contractor so you have a clear understanding of what's involved and how long it will take to do the job.

Insurance, bonding and certification: Ask for insurance and bonding information, and certification documentation from the piering manufacturer.

Final say: Make sure you approve all samples of mortar, brick, block, stone, etc.

Consult with a structural engineer: If you're uncertain what type of repair work you need done, consider talking with a structural engineer.