What is the usual solution for fixing a settling home? What happens if you do not fix it? Affording this will be a hardship. We have cracks in the drywall everywhere, shifting concrete blocks, water on the basement walls and cracking on basement walls.

First... is the home new? Are you the original buyer? You may be able to seek a remedy from the developer/builder, if so. If your home is in a new home development community... there's a good chance that your neighbors are having the same problem and a class-action lawsuit may exist and you can add your complaint to that "class". If you had the home built as a "custom home" by a General Contractor or Developer... you may find help there. One of the first things (and obviously an important thing) that happens during and after the site development phase of the project has been completed is a "soils engineering report". The native soil must be compacted to (or supplemented to) a minimum density and the moisture content is tested to make sure it's not too wet or not wet enough to compact it properly. The reason I mention this is: the soil/civil engineering company charges quite a bit of money to monitor and certify that the soil foundation for the structure meets the minimum requirements for the structure on that spot of land. They are liable for the accuracy of the testing and certification (not including the standard "Acts of God or Nature... like a flood that carries your good soil away and leaves quick sand in it's place).

Now...I don't what part of the world you live in but in the United States there are general requirements for mandatory disclosure of any KNOWN defects in the real property (house and yard(s). If you weren't advised by the seller or seller's agent of the defect and they knew about it...You may find a remedy there (was there obvious or acknowledged sinking/settling when you bought the house?).

Here comes the worst situation. If you've owned the house for years and there is no one to blame but "rotten luck", it would probably be cheaper to build another basement foundation and move the house onto it than it's gonna be to fix the one that's sinking. Really...it's not called a "foundation" for nothing. I could be wrong but the cure for a foundation built on ground that is sinking or settling unevenly is a new foundation. Your structure will have to be raised or leveled somehow and the "sinking" foundation will require a foundation of it's own, otherwise... but hey! Do you like Chinese food?

Good luck. You may be able to find a contractor that specializes in fixing your problem if it's not uncommon in your area, with your weather and soil conditions.

KSTAR4U: Thanks for the help. What happens if you don't fix it? Be gentle... its a house we are stuck with there are no legal remedies.

In The First Few Years Of A New Home You Will See Cracks Above Doors And Windows, More Hair Line Crack Than Anthing, Also Doors May Rub At The Top Or Bottom, This Is Normal And Can Be Corrected, But If The Cracks Are 1/4 Or You Can Put A Pencel Lead Through Them Then These Are More Than Just Settling, If This Is An Old House, It Should Be Done Settling And You Can Sheetrock Mud Over The Areas Also Adding Mesh Tape Before And See How That Does, If The Cracks Come Back Them You May Need To Take A Step More And Maybe Add Some Support Post Under The House To Help Support The Load.

Well... depending on the extent of the damage... you may find a way to shore up the lower end of the structure. Chances are pretty good that you'll only be slowing the deterioration so that you can keep up with the repairs that will be a part of your life until the foundation hits bedrock or material that is dense enough to carry the weight of the house. If it were me... I would consult with as many contractors or builders (of course I'd be using the folks that provide FREE estimates) as needed until you find a common solution or advice that will work for your situation. There may even be local, state or federal grants or low-interest loans available to help you. Ask around. I know!! Can you get your home designated as a "historical site"?

Sorry about that... I'm sure you don't see this as funny at all. I wouldn't either.

Good luck.