Structural Integrity Score
About 2 minutes- Leave knowing exactly how urgent your foundation symptoms are and what steps to take next
This diagnostic tool walks you through the same symptom categories a structural engineer evaluates during an inspection. You will assess three areas — crack patterns, movement indicators, and environmental factors — and each answer explains why that symptom matters. The quiz teaches while it assesses, so you understand your results rather than just receiving a number.
The result is a severity tier, not a repair recommendation. Every foundation is different, and no online tool replaces eyes on the structure. What this tool does is help you determine whether professional evaluation is warranted, and how quickly.
Step 1: Cracks and Fractures
Select all that describe what you see in your home.
Why This Matters
The type and size of foundation cracks directly indicates the kind of structural stress your foundation is experiencing. Horizontal cracks suggest lateral pressure, while stair-step cracks indicate differential settlement.
Step 2: Movement and Shifting
Select all that describe what you notice.
Why This Matters
Foundation movement often shows up in unexpected places — doors that stick, floors that slope, or chimneys that lean. These symptoms help distinguish active movement from old, stable cracks.
Step 3: Additional Factors
These help refine your assessment.
Why This Matters
Environmental factors like nearby trees, drainage issues, and whether problems are getting worse help determine urgency and likely cause.
Your Structural Integrity Assessment
Understanding Your Results
Monitor
Your symptoms are within the range of normal settling and seasonal movement. Hairline cracks, minor door adjustments, and small floor variations are common in Midwest homes and do not necessarily indicate structural problems. Document what you see with dated photographs and remeasure every 6 months. If nothing changes, no action is needed.
Evaluate
Your symptom combination suggests foundation movement that may go beyond normal settling. This does not mean your home needs repair — it means you need better information than visual observation alone can provide. A structural engineer ($400–$800) can measure deflection, assess crack progression, and determine whether the movement is active or historical. This evaluation is separate from any repair estimate.
Act Now
The severity and combination of your symptoms indicate active structural movement that typically worsens without intervention. Horizontal wall cracks, visible bowing, significant floor slope, and worsening patterns at this level warrant prompt professional evaluation. Start with an independent structural engineer rather than a repair company, so your first opinion is objective. Costs increase with delay at this severity level.
What To Do Next
If your tier is Monitor: keep a simple log. Photograph cracks with a ruler for scale, note the date, and check again in six months. Pay attention to whether cracks grow after heavy rain or extended dry periods. If you see changes, retake this assessment.
If your tier is Evaluate: schedule a structural engineer inspection. Look for a licensed PE (Professional Engineer) who is independent of any repair company. Bring your quiz results and any photographs showing progression. The engineer's report becomes your objective baseline regardless of what comes next.
If your tier is Act Now: contact a structural engineer within the next few weeks, not months. While you wait, avoid adding water near the foundation (fix downspout extensions, check grading). Document everything with photographs. The repair methods reference explains the techniques an engineer may recommend so you can ask informed questions.
How the Assessment Works
The Structural Integrity Score weights symptoms by their diagnostic significance. Horizontal basement wall cracks and wall bowing carry the highest weight because they indicate lateral soil pressure that can lead to wall failure. Wide cracks and progressive worsening carry high weight because they confirm active, advancing movement. Seasonal door sticking and hairline cracks carry lower weight because they may reflect normal seasonal cycling or cosmetic conditions.
The three tiers correspond to the same severity framework used in the symptom diagnostic reference and the complete guide's decision framework. Monitor means track what you see over time. Evaluate means get a professional to measure and assess. Act Now means the combination and severity of symptoms indicate structural movement that will worsen without intervention.
This tool does not replace professional evaluation. It helps you determine whether professional evaluation is warranted based on what you can observe. If the tool recommends evaluation or action, a structural engineer provides the most objective next step.