Find out if that crack is cosmetic or a sign your house is moving. Free crack inspection and a written price from a local crew, usually with a call back the same day.
We connect property owners in Tallahassee and nearby areas, including Midtown, Killearn, Betton Hills, SouthWood, Lafayette Park and Frenchtown, with one independent local foundation repair specialist.
What it costs
Typical published ranges for Tallahassee. The contractor's written estimate is the price, and the inspection is free.
Work
Typical range
Crack inspection and written estimate
Free
Crack sealing or injection
$200 to $1,000
Minor crack repairs and basic waterproofing in Tallahassee
$1,900 to $3,800
Structural engineer report
$300 to $2,000
Foundation repair in Tallahassee if the house moved
Almost every house has some cracks. Concrete shrinks as it cures. Stucco, drywall and plaster crack a little with heat and humidity. Many of these are cosmetic.
Other cracks are the house telling you it moved. The trick is knowing which is which. That is what the free crack inspection is for.
The contractor we connect you with will look at every crack, measure the widest ones, check if one side is higher than the other, take floor level readings and look for the cause. Then you get a written answer and, if work is needed, a written price.
Cracks people call about in Tallahassee
Diagonal cracks running up from the corners of doors and windows
Stair-step cracks in brick or concrete block walls
Cracks in a concrete slab that you can see through the floor tile
Cracks in stucco that keep coming back after you patch them
A crack where one side is higher than the other
A gap between a wall and the ceiling, or between brick and window frames
Cracks in the driveway or garage floor that keep spreading
Cracks in a crawl space pier or the block wall around a crawl space
Cosmetic or structural? A quick guide
What you see
Usually means
Thin hairline crack in a slab, under 1/8 inch
Normal concrete shrinkage, watch it
Small cracks in drywall seams or stucco
Often cosmetic, watch it
Crack wider than 1/4 inch
Have it checked
One side of the crack higher than the other
The house has moved, have it checked
Stair-step cracks in brick or block
Often settling, have it checked
Cracks that grow or come back after patching
The house is still moving, have it checked
New cracks with a dip in the yard nearby
Have it checked soon
This table is a rough guide, not a diagnosis. The only way to know for sure is to have someone measure floor levels and look at the house in person.
Why Tallahassee homes crack
Rain. Tallahassee gets close to 60 inches of rain in a normal year, based on National Weather Service records, much of it in heavy summer storms. Ground that is soaked on one side of a house and dry on the other moves unevenly.
Clay and sand. North of the Cody Escarpment, the soils are sandy on top with sandy clay below, according to USDA soil surveys. South of it, loose sand sits on limestone. Florida sinkhole research notes that some ground movement comes from clay layers that shrink when dry and swell when wet. Either way, the ground under a house is rarely still.
Heat and humidity. Stucco, block and concrete expand and shrink with the seasons. That alone causes many small, harmless cracks.
Settling and fill. Soil that was brought in and spread to build a flat pad can keep packing down for years. Homes on hilly lots are more likely to sit partly on fill.
Sinkholes, now and then. The state lists cracking walls near a sinking area among the signs to take seriously. It is rare, but in Tallahassee it is worth ruling out.
How crack repair works
Epoxy injection. For cracks in poured concrete, epoxy is pumped into the crack. It bonds the concrete back together.
Polyurethane injection. A foam that expands to fill the crack and seal out water. Useful where water seeps in.
Brick and block repair. Cracked mortar is ground out and filled with new mortar. Badly cracked bricks or blocks may be replaced.
Not sure if your crack matters? Get a straight answer. Call (850) 988-3375 or send the short form. A local foundation crew will call you back, usually the same day, to set up your free inspection.
Frequently asked questions
Which foundation cracks are serious?
Cracks wider than about a quarter inch, cracks where one side sits higher than the other, stair-step cracks in brick or block, and cracks that keep growing are the ones to have checked. Thin hairline cracks in a slab or stucco are common and often cosmetic.
Can I just fill the crack myself?
You can patch a small cosmetic crack. But if the house is still moving, a patch will crack again and can hide the problem. Find out why it cracked first.
How can I tell if a crack is growing?
Mark both ends with a pencil and write the date. Take a photo with a ruler or coin next to it. Check again in a few weeks, and after a big rain. If it got longer or wider, call for an inspection.
Why do cracks show up after heavy rain?
Heavy rain can soak and soften the ground under one part of the house while the rest stays put. That uneven movement shows up as new cracks, especially on the wettest side of the house.
Do cracks mean I have a sinkhole?
Usually not. Most cracks in Tallahassee homes come from settling and water. Cracks that appear suddenly and grow fast, or come with a new dip in the yard, should be checked for a sinkhole.
Will crack repair stop water from getting in?
Injection and sealing can stop water from coming through a crack. If the soil keeps moving, the crack may open again, so the cause needs fixing too.
How long does crack repair take?
Most crack sealing or injection jobs take a few hours. If piers or drainage work are needed, the job takes longer.