Uh-oh. As you were walking around your home the other day, you spotted it: a crack crawling up your foundation. Does that mean your foundation is failing? If so, how much will it cost to fix it? While seeing a crack in your foundation is understandably scary, not all cracks are bad. To help you separate the harmless from the harmful, we’ll go over five types of foundation cracks to watch out for and when to worry about them.

Stair Step Cracks

Stair step cracks form a vertical, continuous pattern that resembles a set of stairs. Typically, settlement or moisture can cause these cracks to form. They tend to be structural and require examination as soon as possible.

Hairline Cracks

Hairline cracks are small, thin cracks that normally crop up one-year post-construction. The good news is that these cracks are mainly cosmetic and easy to fix, and it’s possible your home’s warranty will cover the cost of repair.

Horizontal Cracks

Horizontal cracks are one type of foundation crack you should worry about. These cracks run right to left and tend to be long and deep. Usually caused by soil and moisture issues, this serious kind of crack can cause your home to sink and bow.

Vertical Cracks

Vertical cracks run up and down and are fortunately less severe than horizontal cracks. They’re extremely common, and most don’t pose a structural threat. If their appearance is bothersome, you can hire a professional to fix them for you using a polyurethane crack injection.

Diagonal Cracks

Like vertical cracks, diagonal cracks are usually harmless. The usual cause of these cracks is settlement and curing, which occur naturally to all housing foundations over time.

Not all foundation cracks are abnormal, but it’s important to know the types of foundation cracks to watch out for and when to worry about them. When you do notice a problematic foundation crack, you should reach out to a professional as soon as possible; otherwise, given time, foundation problems will only worsen. Try to address them immediately.