Monitor a foundation crack
Cracks tell you what they're doing if you watch them long enough. Here's how to track movement at home.
What you'll learn
- Why a single measurement of a crack tells you nothing
- The taped-quarter test (free, takes 60 days)
- When to use a real crack monitor gauge ($15 from Amazon)
- How to photo-document with date and scale in the frame
- When stable readings = monitor; when widening = call us
Step by step
- Photograph the crack with a coin or ruler in frame and the date written on a sticky note.
- Tape a quarter across the crack with the edges aligned to the crack edges.
- Re-photograph at 30, 60, and 90 days using the same framing.
- Compare width and offset across the photos.
- Stable through 2 seasons = monitor annually. Widening = inspect now.
Safety note
We install free crack monitors on every inspection — even if you don't hire us. Monitoring before repair is the difference between an honest fix and an unnecessary one.
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