Figuring out construction timelines can create some serious stress in your life. Is your home on the newer side, and you are wondering if its foundation has fully settled, or if it ever will? We have done the necessary research to find you some answers.
A home's foundation can take between one and three years to settle. Usually, as long as your home has a solid foundation and is somewhere with stable ground conditions, you shouldn't notice too much movement or settlement. That said, some architects claim that a home never truly stops settling, so opinions vary.
As we begin, we will cover all things home foundations and discuss what affects their settlement timeline. Whether your home is a few months old or a few years, it is essential to understand why structures move and why settling might take longer. With that said, let's dive right into this topic!
How Much Do Foundations Settle?
Typically, a home's foundation will settle a few inches during its first couple of years. Over time, a home essentially sinks into the ground, which is pretty normal, especially if it has multiple stories.
According to Edens Structural Solutions, newly built homes will see a few inches of settlement within their first couple of years, especially if they were built during a drought. That said, you shouldn't need to worry about this as long as your home has a solid foundation and is built well, so don't stress yet.
Is It Normal For A Foundation To Settle?
Like we covered, yes, a few inches of settling is very normal for newly built homes. As long as your foundation settles evenly into the ground, you should not see cracking or need to call in an expert, but not every situation is the same.
Furthermore, if your home is more than two or three years old and is still noticeably settling, there may be a bigger issue that needs to be dealt with. If you start to notice visible sinking or cracking along your home's foundation, this is when calling in a contractor or engineer is a good idea.
How Do I Know My Foundation Is Settling?
Generally, a good way to tell if your foundation is settling is if you notice minor cracking in your flooring and walls. Although this can be alarming, settling can cause small cracks in your home because it is essentially adjusting to the ground beneath it.
A crack 1/16 of an inch big is not usually an indicator of structural problems but should be monitored closely. They also mention that cracks in your walls and floors should only be up to six inches long, so if you see any bigger than that, it might be time to call in a professional.
When Should I Worry About My House Settling?
For those who suspect their home's foundation might be in danger, there are a few details to keep an eye out for. Some key indicators of foundation damage include:
- Exterior cracks, especially those that have a zig-zag pattern
- Interior sheetrock cracks
- Doors out of place/unable to close
- Door/window frames separating from walls
- Large cracks in your flooring
- Walls pulling away from each other
Can A House Still Settle After 30 Years?
When it comes to a home settling after 30 years, you should not see noticeable changes past three to five. If you notice cracking of any size in a home 30 years or older, there might be something wrong with its foundation.
That said, every home adjusts differently to changes in ground pressure, so you might experience small amounts of settling every so often.
Do Houses Ever Stop Settling?
Like we mentioned above, technically, a home will settle whenever it needs to, but this should not be noticeable past its first few years. A house's foundation never truly settles; it constantly adapts to the climate and ground conditions below it.
Like any structure, a home's materials will expand and contract to keep the support system of a house strong, which might lead to some minor settling.
What Causes A Home To Settle?
Generally, settling is caused by improperly backfilled soil during home construction. This is essentially when a builder removes too much soil from a location before a home is built and then tries to compensate by adding more once it is completed.
Doing this can cause serious problems with the foundation of a house and can create long-term structural issues for a home buyer. Luckily, many builders consider this during home construction but having an engineer or contractor check out your home's foundation is always a good idea.
Does Homeowner's Insurance Cover House Settling?
When it comes to homeowner's insurance covering house settling, this depends on what your policy states. Generally, insurance will step in if your home's foundation is damaged due to natural disasters, but not always for natural aging.
According to Bankrate, the Coverage A section of your home insurance will tell you if they cover an aging foundation and what your plan will exactly pay for. That said, if your home is affected by flooding, wind, or any natural disaster, you should be fine, but again, this varies.
How Do I Stop My Home From Settling?
Although it is nearly impossible to stop a home from settling, there are ways to minimize it. Most importantly, you want to manage the amount of moisture/drainage near your foundation, which can help keep the ground from expanding.
Another good way to do this is having your home's foundation inspected every six months so that you can get ahead of a problem before it gets serious. Regardless, if you see something that seems off, trust your instinct and don't try to wait until things get worse.
Are Foundation Cracks Normal In Older Homes?
For anyone living in an older house, it is normal to see some wear and tear in its foundation. This will often be small amounts of hairline cracking, which you should fix as soon as one forms.
Like our earlier advice, if your home's foundation has cracks bigger than 1/16 of an inch, there could be a serious problem. Adding to that, if you see cracks along your home's exterior, these can be more serious than interior spots, so try to walk around your house about once per month and make a note of any problem areas.
Can You Fix A Damaged Foundation?
When it comes to repairing a damaged home foundation, this is possible. Having your foundation fixed is relatively easy for those with minor cracking or sinking, but pricing can vary.
If your home suffers from severe foundation damage, it may have to be lifted, and new foundation piers will need to be installed.
How Much Does It Cost To Fix A House's Foundation?
Price-wise, the average cost to fix a home's foundation is close to $4,500 but can get into the tens of thousands. According to a study done by Home Guide, most homeowners spend between $2,318 and $6,750 to repair moderate foundation damage, so you want to check if your insurance will help.
If your home has minor cracking, the cost to fix it should be closer to $700, while more severe damage requiring new foundation piers can have a price tag of over $15,000. Of course, every home is different, but if you don't take care of a foundation-related issue soon, you could end up paying a much larger price later.
To Wrap It Up
Whether your home is brand new or a few years old, knowing when its foundation will be settled can be tricky. Most new homes foundations should settle within their first one to three years, but this timeline can vary.
When it comes to signs your home is settling, look for small cracks around your walls and floors. If you begin to notice cracking bigger than 1/16 of an inch, we recommend contacting a professional to take a look at your home's foundation. Regardless of your house's age, make sure to regularly inspect it and make a note of any unusual new developments and repair them as soon as possible.
Before you go, check out these helpful home-related posts below:
How To Landscape Around A Foundation [10 Steps]