Free Foundation Inspections Across the Carolinas

A foundation inspection should answer one question clearly: what is happening under your home, and does it need attention? At HydroHelp911 the inspection is free.

If a crack is cosmetic, we tell you that and do not recommend a repair. When we do find a problem, we explain the cause, walk you through the options, and provide a written summary with photos and an estimate. You can see every method we might recommend on our foundation repair methods page.

We look at the full picture, inside and out, and we look for patterns. Outside, we look for stepped cracks in brick or block and for gaps where a chimney or porch meets the house, which can point to a chimney footing that has settled.

Inside, we check for drywall cracks at door corners, and for doors and windows that stick or will not latch. We also check whether floors slope or bounce, look for gaps at trim, and note signs of moisture. Where there is a crawl space, we go underneath to examine the piers, beams, and joists, including any wood softened by moisture.

We factor in your soil and setting. The questions we ask of a Piedmont clay lot in Charlotte differ from those for a coastal lot in Wilmington or a hillside in Asheville.

On clay, we look for movement that tracks the wet and dry seasons, which is the swelling and shrinking of clay soil at work. On the coast, a high water table and sandy soils shift the focus to water pressure and erosion, and loose sand can call for stabilizing the soil itself. On hillsides, we look at how runoff and slope load the foundation.

Many homeowners only need an inspection when they notice a sign, such as a new crack or a door that suddenly sticks. If you have seen symptoms before, periodic checks can be worthwhile, but there is no fixed schedule for a sound foundation. Our guide to common foundation repair warning signs describes what each sign looks like.

If we find a problem, you receive a written estimate and information on financing for foundation repairs. There is no obligation and no rush. You decide on your own timeline.