What is the primary way to differentiate between settlement and heaving in a building structure?

The primary way to differentiate between settlement and heaving in a building structure involves examining how the surrounding ground, such as sidewalks or driveways, slopes in relation to the foundation of the house. When a structure settles, the ground may begin to slope toward the building due to the earth compacting downwards. Conversely, if the structure is experiencing heaving, the ground often slopes away from the house due to the upward movement of the soil beneath it.

This observation can serve as a critical indicator of the underlying issue affecting the structure. It provides a clear visual cue that can help a home inspector assess whether the foundation troubles are due to settling—where the soil is compacting under the weight of the structure—or heaving—where the soil is expanding, typically due to moisture content changes or freeze/thaw cycles.

While the other options include various types of cracks and structural indicators, they are not as definitive in distinguishing between these two phenomena as observing how the surface areas around the structure behave relative to the foundation. Cracks may indicate both settlement and heaving under different circumstances, thus making this observation of sidewalk slope more useful for clear differentiation.