One of the most common items noted during a home inspection is cracks in pavement. Is this a defect? Not necessarily, unless the cracks have progressed to the point of being a trip hazard and/or can allow moisture intrusion at perimeter wall areas. The concern at areas near a home’s wall(s) is related to the potential for water getting on the foundation and causing damage from freezing, thawing, and refreezing. The typical homeowner normally cannot discern, sometimes, subtle clues that may indicate a problem exists. As a contractor and a home inspector, we have seen damage to both slab and crawl space foundations in varying degrees. Often the issues, if existing, are easily remedied unless there is heavy settlement, bowing, buckling, upheave, or such.