Foundation repair questions and answers

The area sits on limestone with clay soil on top, and in many places the clay is thin. Clay swells when wet and shrinks when dry, so footings move with the seasons. The USGS report 2005-5281 also documents sinkholes around the city, though most houses do not sit on one.

Often, yes. Poured concrete shrinks as it cures and leaves thin cracks that stay the same width. Watch for cracks wider than about a quarter inch, cracks that are wider at one end, cracks that grow, or cracks that show up with sticking doors and sloping floors. Mark each end in pencil with the date and check again later.

It can, but it is less common than ordinary clay movement. Signs include a depression in the yard, a sudden drop near the house, or water that drains into the ground in one spot. If you see those, ask for an engineer's opinion.

Yes, for homeowners. You pay us nothing for the referral, and contractor inspections and estimates are typically free too. Contractors we refer may pay us for the introduction, and that fee is not added to your estimate as a separate line. See how it works for the full details.

No. We are a referral service. We take down what you are seeing and pass it to one independent, licensed foundation contractor who covers your town. The contractor who visits is an independent business. Their inspection, estimate, contract, work and warranty are between you and them, and we do not guarantee their work.

Murfreesboro and 19 towns and neighborhoods within about 25 miles. That includes Smyrna, La Vergne, Christiana, Rockvale and Shelbyville, plus places in Bedford, Cannon and Williamson counties, where the license rules differ. Each town has its own page with soil and housing notes. See the service area list.