‘The Wallpaper Was Holding the House Together’: Homeowners Find Severe Structural Damage During Renovation

Renovating a home can be a true labor of love; but for some homeowners, this adventure can quickly turn into a series of unwelcome, even nightmarish surprises.

While buying a fixer-upper might initially make financial sense, some homeowners may face shocking discoveries while repairing one—which can add a lot of money to the initial price tag.

This was recently the case for a couple renovating a 17th-century home and documenting the renovations on the TikTok account @englishcountryestate.

Homeowners find foundation damage behind wallpaper

On Feb. 23, the couple posted a video that quickly went viral. In the TikTok clip, a man strips wallpaper away and realizes what’s underneath it.

“When you decide to strip the wallpaper and decide maybe the wallpaper was holding the house together,” the text on the video reads.

This was literally the case, as deep, considerable cracks can be seen extending down the wall from the ceiling to the door frame and beyond.

Commenters were quick to share their knowledge of his situation, warning him that his “load bearing wall” was in need of desperate repair and help from a structural engineer. 

And the experts we consulted, unfortunately, agreed. 

Common signs of foundation damage

There can be several signs of foundation damage, varying degrees of severity.

Cracks, such as the ones this couple found, are somewhat common—yet not all are serious.

Jeremy Henley, founder and CEO of TheQwikFix, says that as most foundations settle over time, the movement of the earth can cause small cracks or slightly uneven floors.

“However, if cracks exceed a certain width, they can be a warning sign—though they may still be hidden before listing a home,” he adds.

He says he always opens and closes all the doors and several windows when inspecting a property.

“If they don’t align or close properly, that’s a strong indication of potential foundation issues and warrants further investigation,” explains Henley.

So what should inspectors and potential homeowners be looking for when they review structural damage?

Hairline cracks: Level of urgency—low

Courtney Klosterman, a home insights expert at Hippo Insurance, says that these thin, spiderweblike hairline cracks are less than 1 millimeter wide—about the width of a human hair—and are the most common drywall cracks. They appear due to normal house settling or minor fluctuations in temperature and humidity.

She adds they can be caused by settling, temperature, and humidity changes.

Vertical cracks: Level of urgency—low to moderate

Klosterman said that due to foundation settlement, vertical cracks travel straight up and down, following the line where the wall meets the floor, and vary in size.

“These cracks generally pose minimal concern if there are no significant length or width increases,” she says, noting that these need to be assessed once they are greater than 5 millimeters wide.

Diagonal cracks: Level of urgency—high

These cracks run at an angle on the wall from corner to corner, slanted at a 45-degree angle compared to the vertical wall plane, she said.

“These cracks, regardless of size, need immediate attention from a professional,” she says.

Horizontal cracks: Level of urgency—high

Horizontal cracks running along the wall plane can be a serious sign of foundation issues and potential structural drywall cracks.

“These cracks are often the result of structural movement as expansive soils build up against the foundation wall. They will progressively widen without proper care, potentially causing complete wall failure,” she warns.

Additional foundation issues

Some of the most alarming and concerning foundation issues include uneven floors and sagging ceilings.

Jeri Goodkin-Dausey, certified lead general contractor at ViolationClinic.com, explains that uneven floors can be a serious issue, particularly if they slope noticeably or if gaps appear between walls and floors.

She adds that sagging ceilings can occur when the structural support shifts due to foundation movement, compromising the home’s overall integrity.

“These issues can range from minor to severe, but horizontal cracks and significant sloping or sagging are generally more urgent indicators that should not be ignored,” she says.

How can foundation damage be fixed?

This depends on the issue and its severity. For instance, if you find cracks in the walls, there are several ways to fix them.

For minor cracks, epoxy or polyurethane injections can seal and prevent further spreading, says Goodkin-Dausey.

However, she adds, more severe cases may require “piering” or underpinning. This involves installing steel piers to stabilize and lift the foundation back to its original position.

“Slab jacking is another method used specifically for concrete slabs; it involves injecting material beneath the slab to raise it to the proper level,” she explains.

If an inspection reveals widespread failure—walls splitting, spalling concrete, or excessive movement—it’s usually a deal-breaker, says Brett Johnson, owner of New Era Home Buyers.

“For homeowners, ignoring foundation issues can turn a manageable fix into a financial disaster. If the house is already settling, it’s usually better to walk than to risk constant repairs,” he adds.

When should you walk away from a home with foundation problems?

Whether you should abandon a property with foundation issues depends on several factors, such as the severity of the issues, how quick they will be to fix, and, of course, your budget.

As Geno Caccia, CEO of Caccia Plumbing, notes that if an inspection reveals minor settling that can be repaired, for instance, it may not be a dealbreaker for buying a home.

“However, if major structural instability is found, repairs exceed the home’s value, or there are ongoing moisture issues, it may be best to move on,” Caccia says. “I always recommend structural engineer’s evaluation before making a decision.”

Michael Vitale, owner and president of Vitale Homes, also notes another factor to consider: future risk and resale value.

“Persistent foundation issues can also affect insurability,” he says. “The ability to obtain insurance should certainly be confirmed before purchasing in any case.”

How much does foundation damage cost to fix?

Foundation repairs can easily run into tens of thousands of dollars. Additionally, for some homeowners, especially those unable to secure financing for repairs, selling the home “as is” may become the only option, explains Marc Alleyne, founder and CEO at Spartan Demolition.

However, Alleyne reiterates that foundation problems don’t always have to be deal breakers. Minor cracks or easily fixable drainage problems can often be repaired affordably. For buyers, these minor issues could even be used as leverage to negotiate a reduced purchase price to offset repair costs, turning a troubled property into an opportunity.

When it comes to costs, New Era Home Buyers’ Johnson says they can vary wildly.

“Fixing foundation damage can range from simple epoxy injections to fill minor cracks (around $250 to $800 per crack) to costly full foundation underpinning ($20,000 to $75,000),” he says.

However, he adds that if an inspection reveals widespread failure—walls splitting, spalling concrete, or excessive movement—costs will escalate.

For instance, he explains that installing foundation piers or helical piles to stabilize a sinking home can cost between $2,000 and $3,000 per pier, with full stabilization often ranging from $20,000 to $50,000.

“If water damage is causing the problem, adding proper drainage or sump pumps can add another $5,000 to $10,000,” Johnson says.

Because of this, many experts underscore the importance of fully considering what you’re getting into.

Laura Barrera, a luxury and wellness real estate associate at David Siddons Group at Douglas Elliman, says that if a client wants to move forward with the purchase, she would bring a contractor and a structural engineer to assess the full scope and cost of repairs, especially if they’re going to keep the structure.

“But in today’s market, I don’t see renovation of a compromised structure as a smart investment,” she notes.

She adds that construction costs vary by zip code. In Miami, for instance, an engineer-and-architect team costs $6,000, to which the cost of permits needs to be added.

“Always leave room for surprises—you never know what’s really going on until walls are opened, and surprises are common,” she says.

Finally, when structural damage isn’t addressed, it can affect a home’s value and depress the price by as much as 20% to 50% or more, depending on the severity, advises Tim Gordon, real estate investor at Gordon Buys Homes.