Older Florida concrete block homes can develop foundation and settlement problems, but age alone does not mean the foundation is failing.
Common conditions homeowners may encounter include:
- Stair-step cracks in block or mortar joints
- Stucco cracks that reopen after repair
- Differential foundation settlement
- Sticking doors or windows
- Gaps around openings or trim
- Uneven or sloping floors
- Interior slab settlement
- Plumbing-related soil loss beneath the slab
- Settlement around additions or converted spaces
- Poorly compacted or disturbed soils
- Drainage- or erosion-related support loss
- Old repairs that reveal previous movement
Older block homes also commonly show cosmetic cracking, aging stucco, masonry deterioration, previous repairs, and decades of remodeling that may have little or nothing to do with active foundation settlement.
That makes the history of the home especially important.
A 40-year-old stair-step crack that has remained unchanged is different from a crack that appeared six months ago and continues to widen.
A low interior floor does not automatically mean the load-bearing foundation is sinking.
And a crack above a window may involve the masonry opening or lintel rather than the soil beneath the house.
The age of the home provides history. It does not provide the diagnosis.
The goal is to determine what is moving now, whether that movement is active, and what part of the structure actually needs support—if any.
Read more: Foundation Problems in Florida: The Complete Homeowner Guide
Why Older Florida Block Homes Require a Different Kind of Evaluation
Concrete block construction has been used throughout Florida for decades.
Many older homes have also accumulated years of:
- Additions
- Plumbing repairs
- Window and door replacements
- Pool construction
- Patios and lanais
- Garage conversions
- Drainage changes
- Landscaping
- Flooring replacements
- Stucco repairs
- Foundation repairs
- Crack patching and repainting
That history matters.
Sometimes the most useful question is not simply what the house looks like today.
It is:
What changed—and when?
One home may have settled decades ago and remained stable ever since.
Another may have performed well for 50 years before a plumbing leak, erosion, or other localized condition affected support.
A third may have cracks that are unrelated to foundation settlement.
Older homes therefore require more context—not automatically more repair.
What Does “Block Home” Actually Mean?
When Florida homeowners say they have a “block home,” they generally mean the exterior walls are built from concrete masonry units, or CMU.
Those block walls are part of the structural system, but they are not the same thing as the foundation beneath them.
The interior floor slab may also behave differently from the load-bearing perimeter support.
That distinction is important because:
- A block wall can crack because the foundation beneath it moved.
- Stucco can crack while the block remains stable.
- An interior slab can settle while the perimeter foundation remains comparatively stable.
- A patio or driveway can settle independently from both.
- A masonry opening can crack for reasons unrelated to foundation movement.
Homeowners may describe all of these as “foundation cracks.”
They are not necessarily the same problem.
Common Problems in Older Florida Block Homes
| What You See | Possible Explanation | More Concerning When |
| Stair-step crack through mortar joints | Differential foundation movement, historic settlement, masonry movement | Widening, reopening, displacement, or paired with other movement |
| Hairline stucco crack | Shrinkage, aging finish, normal material movement | Crack continues into block or repeatedly reopens |
| Diagonal crack at window or door | Foundation movement, masonry stress, opening/lintel issue | Progressing or paired with sticking opening/elevation change |
| Cracking or spalling above an opening | Lintel or embedded-metal deterioration, masonry issue | Rust staining, displacement, deterioration, continued progression |
| Low interior floor | Interior slab settlement, void, poor fill, plumbing-related soil loss | Measurable change or related flooring/baseboard symptoms |
| Sticking door or window | Hardware, humidity, opening movement, foundation movement | Several related symptoms occur in the same area |
| Crack at an addition | Different construction phases or foundation details | Separation is increasing or elevations differ |
| Old patched crack | Historic settlement or previous repair | Patch repeatedly opens again |
| Sinking driveway or patio | Exterior slab settlement | Does not by itself prove house foundation movement |
| Horizontal cracking or wall bowing | Possible wall or structural masonry condition | Visible displacement, progression, or loss of alignment |
The purpose of the table is not to diagnose a house from a crack pattern.
It is to show why similar-looking symptoms in an older block home can have very different causes.
1. Stair-Step Cracks in Block Walls
Stair-step cracking is one of the most recognizable signs homeowners associate with foundation movement.
The crack follows mortar joints in a stepped pattern and may appear:
- Near a corner
- Around a window
- Around a door
- Near a garage opening
- Along one side of the house
Differential foundation settlement can create this pattern because one portion of the wall is moving differently from another.
But:
A stair-step crack is evidence worth investigating—not proof by itself that the home needs foundation repair.
Useful questions include:
- Is it new?
- Is it widening?
- Has it reopened after repair?
- Is there displacement across the crack?
- Are nearby doors or windows changing?
- Do relative floor elevations support movement in the same area?
- Are other symptoms concentrated nearby?
A stable crack that has existed for decades deserves a different interpretation from one that is actively changing.
Read more: Is Stair-Step Cracking in Block Walls a Serious Foundation Issue?
2. Stucco Cracks Can Hide—or Mimic—Block Movement
Most Florida block homes have an exterior finish such as stucco.
That means what the homeowner sees first is often the stucco, not the structural block behind it.
Stucco can crack from:
- Shrinkage
- Expansion and contraction
- Aging
- Application conditions
- Moisture
- Movement in the underlying masonry
- Foundation movement
A hairline surface crack may be cosmetic.
A crack that continues through the block, repeatedly reopens, or appears with other settlement symptoms deserves more attention.
The question is not simply whether the stucco cracked. It is whether the structure behind the stucco is moving.
Read more: Stucco Cracks vs Structural Cracks in Florida Homes: How to Tell the Difference
3. Cracks Around Windows and Doors Are Not Always Foundation Cracks
Windows and doors are natural stress points in masonry walls.
Foundation movement can cause cracks at the corners of these openings.
But other possibilities include:
- Stucco movement
- Localized masonry movement
- Previous window or door replacement
- Deterioration of a lintel or other structural component
- Corrosion of embedded metal
- Previous repairs
Homeowners may notice:
- Cracking above a window
- Rust staining
- Spalling or flaking concrete
- Separation near the upper corners of an opening
- Damage concentrated around one window or door
These conditions should not automatically be diagnosed as foundation settlement.
Crack location helps tell you where to investigate. It does not tell you the cause by itself.
Read more: Why Are My Doors and Windows Sticking in My House?
4. Differential Foundation Settlement
Differential settlement occurs when one portion of the foundation moves more than another.
Possible signs include:
- Stair-step block cracking
- Diagonal cracks near openings
- Recurring stucco cracks
- Doors or windows becoming misaligned
- Gaps around frames
- Separation between sections of the home
- Measurable elevation differences
The entire home does not need to settle for foundation movement to matter.
A localized corner or section can move differently from the rest of the structure.
Possible contributors may include:
- Weak or loose shallow soils
- Poorly compacted fill
- Soil washout
- Erosion
- Deeper support problems
- Localized clay movement
- Other site-specific subsurface conditions
The correct repair depends on where support has been lost, not how old the house is.
Read more: Signs Your Home Foundation Is Sinking in Florida
5. Interior Slab Settlement Can Be a Separate Problem
An uneven floor in an older block home often creates immediate concern about the foundation.
But the interior slab can sometimes settle independently from the load-bearing perimeter foundation.
Possible causes include:
- Loose or poorly compacted fill
- Voids
- Plumbing-related soil loss
- Organic material
- Weak shallow soils
- Other localized support loss
Homeowners may notice:
- A low area in one room
- Sloping flooring
- Cracked tile
- Gaps beneath baseboards
- Hollow-sounding areas
- Flooring separation
5. Interior Slab Settlement Can Be a Separate Problem
An uneven floor in an older block home often creates immediate concern about the foundation.
But the interior slab can sometimes settle independently from the load-bearing perimeter foundation.
Possible causes include:
- Loose or poorly compacted fill
- Voids
- Plumbing-related soil loss
- Organic material
- Weak shallow soils
- Other localized support loss
Homeowners may notice:
- A low area in one room
- Sloping flooring
- Cracked tile
- Gaps beneath baseboards
- Hollow-sounding areas
- Flooring separation
If the exterior walls and perimeter foundation remain comparatively stable, underpinning the home may not address the actual problem.
The repair may instead involve improving the soil beneath the interior slab, filling voids, or attempting controlled slab lifting.
A low floor tells you there is an elevation difference. It does not automatically mean the perimeter foundation moved—or even that the floor is actively settling.
Read more: Interior Slab Settlement: Causes, Signs & Repair Options
6. Plumbing Leaks Can Contribute to Soil Loss Beneath the Slab
Older homes often have a longer plumbing history.
There may have been:
- Previous leaks
- Pipe repairs
- Re-piping
- Drain repairs
- Plumbing penetrations
- Excavation around utilities
An active leak beneath or near a slab can sometimes disturb or remove supporting soil.
Depending on the conditions, that can create:
- Loose soil
- Voids
- Reduced slab support
- Localized floor settlement
But:
A plumbing leak does not prove the slab has settled, and a settled slab does not prove there is a plumbing leak.
If plumbing-related soil loss is suspected, both the source and the resulting support condition should be evaluated.
7. Additions and Converted Spaces Can Move Differently
One of the most useful things to identify in an older home is what was original and what was added later.
Examples include:
- Florida rooms
- Enclosed lanais
- Garage conversions
- Bedroom additions
- Porch enclosures
- Expanded kitchens
- Attached patios
An addition may have been constructed:
- Years or decades later
- On different fill
- With different site preparation
- Using a different foundation detail
- After drainage or landscaping changed
Movement can therefore concentrate where the old and new construction meet.
Homeowners may notice:
- A vertical crack at the transition
- Flooring elevation differences
- Separation between wall sections
- Repeated cracking in the same location
A crack between two construction phases may be telling you that two parts of the home are behaving differently.
8. Decades of Drainage and Landscaping Changes Matter
The property surrounding a 40- or 60-year-old home may look very different from when the house was built.
Over time, owners may have added:
- Gutters
- Downspouts
- Patios
- Pools
- Driveways
- Landscaping beds
- Irrigation
- Drainage systems
- Other site improvements
Those changes can alter how water moves around the property.
Water becomes relevant when it:
- Erodes supporting soil
- Creates concentrated runoff
- Enters an existing void or pathway
- Repeatedly affects one portion of the foundation
- Contributes to washout beneath nearby slabs
Drainage should not become the assumed cause of every older-house crack.
The evidence still needs to show that water is affecting support.
9. Exterior Concrete Can Settle Without the Home Foundation Settling
Older Florida homes frequently have concrete installed during different phases of the property’s history.
Examples include:
- Driveways
- Sidewalks
- Patios
- Pool decks
- Lanais
- Walkways
These slabs are lighter and may sit on different fill or site preparation from the structural foundation.
They can therefore settle independently.
A 50-year-old driveway sinking beside a block home does not automatically mean the 50-year-old house foundation is sinking with it.
Exterior settlement can provide useful clues about nearby soil conditions, but it should be evaluated as its own structure.
Read more: Concrete Settlement and Lifting in Florida Guide
10. Old Repairs Can Be Valuable Evidence
Previous repairs are not simply cosmetic history.
They can provide useful clues.
Look for:
- Patched stair-step cracks
- Heavy caulking along masonry joints
- Multiple layers of crack repair
- New stucco concentrated in one area
- Previously replaced block
- Pier or underpinning locations
- Previous polyurethane injection holes
- Interior drywall or flooring repairs
One of the most useful questions is:
Did the repair stay closed?
A crack repaired 15 years ago that never returned tells a different story from one patched three times in the past two years.
Old photographs, inspection reports, engineering documents, disclosures, and previous repair records can all help establish the timeline.
In an older home, previous repairs can be part of the diagnostic evidence—not something to ignore.
11. A Crack Can Be Old Without Being Active
Older homes have had more time to accumulate imperfections.
A crack can represent movement that occurred:
- During original construction
- Shortly after construction
- During a past plumbing problem
- During an old drainage problem
- Before an addition was built
- Decades before the current owner purchased the home
If the underlying condition stopped, the crack may remain visible indefinitely.
Useful monitoring information includes:
- Dated photographs
- Crack measurements
- Whether doors or windows are changing
- Whether repairs reopen
- Whether relative elevations appear to be changing
Monitoring is a decision—not the same as doing nothing.
Read more: When You Do NOT Need Foundation Repair
12. Not Every Structural Masonry Problem Is a Foundation Problem
Foundation settlement can create wall cracking.
But wall damage does not always mean the foundation caused it.
Possible non-foundation masonry conditions may include:
- Lintel deterioration
- Embedded-metal corrosion
- Localized block deterioration
- Structural wall damage
- Severe moisture-related deterioration
- Previous construction damage
A wall that is:
- Bowing
- Leaning
- Significantly displaced
- Severely deteriorated
may require evaluation by a structural engineer or appropriate masonry professional regardless of whether foundation movement is also present.
The goal is not to turn every masonry problem into a foundation repair project.
13. An Older Florida Block Home Does Not Automatically Have a Sinkhole Problem
In parts of Florida, homeowners understandably associate structural cracking with sinkholes.
Sinkhole-related movement is a legitimate consideration in karst areas.
But:
A sinking foundation is not automatically a sinkhole.
Similar symptoms can result from:
- Shallow loose soils
- Poor compaction
- Fill
- Plumbing-related washout
- Drainage
- Organic material
- Interior slab movement
- Other subsurface conditions
A foundation evaluation can identify movement patterns that may justify additional investigation.
It generally cannot by itself confirm or rule out whether a condition is sinkhole-related.
Read more: What Causes Sinkholes in Florida—and Should You Worry?
Why the Pattern Matters More Than the Age of the Crack
Consider two 1965 Florida block homes.
Home A
A stair-step crack appears in photographs from 20 years ago.
It has not noticeably changed.
Nearby doors operate normally.
Relative floor elevations do not show an obvious corresponding pattern.
Home B
A stair-step crack appeared within the past year.
It reopened after patching.
A nearby window now sticks.
Relative elevations show the same corner lower than surrounding areas.
The homes may be the same age.
The cracks may look similar.
The evidence tells a very different story.
A foundation problem is usually diagnosed from a pattern—not from the age of the home or one symptom.
How Should an Older Florida Block Home Be Evaluated?
An older home deserves an evaluation that considers both its current condition and its history.
1. Map the Symptoms
Look at where problems occur:
- Exterior block and stucco
- Interior drywall
- Windows and doors
- Floors
- Additions
- Garage openings
- Exterior slabs
Several related symptoms concentrated in one area are generally more informative than one isolated crack.
2. Compare Old and New Conditions
Ask:
- When was the crack first noticed?
- Has it changed?
- Was it repaired before?
- Did the repair reopen?
- Have doors or windows changed?
- Was the home recently remodeled?
Older photographs can be surprisingly useful.
3. Measure Relative Floor Elevations
A Zip Level may be used when appropriate to identify relative elevation patterns throughout the home.
Elevation measurements do not determine the cause by themselves.
They provide another piece of evidence that can be compared with:
- Crack locations
- Sticking openings
- Additions
- Interior slab conditions
- Exterior observations
4. Separate Interior Slab Movement From Perimeter Foundation Movement
This distinction can prevent an unnecessary or inappropriate repair.
The question is not simply:
“Is the floor low?”
It is:
“What part of the structure moved?”
5. Evaluate Exterior Conditions
Look for:
- Erosion
- Drainage
- Plumbing history
- Settled exterior concrete
- Additions
- Foundation transitions
- Visible soil loss
- Previous repairs
6. Consider Shallow Soil Conditions
Soil probing may sometimes provide useful field information about apparent loose or weak shallow zones.
It does not replace a geotechnical investigation and does not establish the complete soil classification, density, strength, or subsurface profile.
7. Review Previous Documentation
When available, review:
- Structural engineering reports
- Geotechnical reports
- Previous foundation-repair proposals
- Plumbing records
- Home inspection reports
- Repair warranties
The goal is to answer:
What is moving, is it still moving, where is support being lost, and what repair objective—if any—is actually required?
Different Problems Require Different Repair Objectives
| Condition Identified | Repair Objective | Repair That May Be Considered |
| Weak shallow soil beneath footing | Improve shallow support | Polyurethane soil stabilization |
| Deeper foundation support problem | Transfer structural loads deeper | Push or helical piers |
| Foundation requiring precise lifting | Direct support and controlled elevation recovery | Engineered underpinning with push piers, helical piers, or another appropriate foundation-support system |
| Weak soil beneath interior slab | Improve supporting soil | Polyurethane soil stabilization |
| Void directly beneath interior slab | Restore slab-to-soil contact | Structural polyurethane void filling |
| Settled interior slab | Restore support and attempt elevation recovery | Polyurethane slab lifting |
| Settled driveway, patio, or walkway | Restore slab support/elevation | Concrete lifting where appropriate |
| Deeper weak soils | Improve deeper ground support | Compaction grouting or engineered ground improvement |
| Active plumbing or drainage source | Stop continuing soil disturbance | Correct source as part of overall repair |
| Structural masonry/lintel problem | Repair affected structural component | Structural engineer / appropriate masonry repair |
| No evidence of meaningful active movement | Observe condition | Monitoring may be appropriate |
This is not a prescription table.
It illustrates why the repair should follow the diagnosis.
Polyurethane or Foundation Piers?
Older homes do not automatically need piers.
And polyurethane is not automatically the answer because it may be less invasive.
Polyurethane Soil Stabilization
May be appropriate when weak or loose shallow soils are contributing to support loss beneath the foundation.
Its primary objective is to improve the ground supporting the foundation and help reduce additional settlement.
Push or Helical Piers
May be more appropriate when:
- Support is required at greater depth
- The foundation needs direct structural support
- Precise, controlled lifting is required
- Shallow soil improvement would not adequately address the problem
Polyurethane improves the ground supporting the foundation. Underpinning gives direct support and greater control of the foundation itself.
The better question is not:
“Which product works best on an old block home?”
It is:
“Where is the support problem, and what repair objective does it require?”
Read more: How Polyurethane Injection Works Under Your Home
Read more: Helical Piers vs. Push Piers: What’s the Difference?
Should an Older Block Home Be Lifted Back to Level?
Not automatically.
An older home may have:
- Decades of remodeling
- Settled finishes
- Rigid plumbing
- Tile
- Cabinets
- Windows and doors adjusted to existing conditions
- Previous repairs
- Structural components that have adapted to historic movement
Sometimes the appropriate objective is stabilization rather than returning every area to an assumed original elevation.
When lifting is appropriate, it should be controlled and based on the repair plan.
A successful foundation repair does not necessarily mean a perfectly level home.
The goal is dependable support—not forcing an older structure into an unrealistic geometric condition.
Checklist: What Owners of Older Florida Block Homes Should Look For
Exterior Block and Stucco
- Look for stair-step cracks through mortar joints
- Identify cracks that have reopened after repair
- Check for diagonal cracks near windows and doors
- Look for rust staining or deterioration around openings
- Note horizontal cracks, bowing, or wall displacement
- Photograph cracks and record their locations
Inside the Home
- Check doors and windows that recently started sticking
- Look for new drywall cracks
- Check for gaps around trim and baseboards
- Note low or sloping floors
- Look for cracked tile or flooring separation
- Identify symptoms concentrated in one part of the home
Around the Property
- Look for settled driveways, patios, and walkways
- Check for erosion near the foundation
- Identify water repeatedly draining toward the home
- Look for plumbing or irrigation leaks
- Note recent landscaping or drainage changes
Home History
- Identify additions and converted spaces
- Look for previously patched structural cracks
- Determine whether repairs have reopened
- Locate old photographs of the exterior
- Find previous foundation or engineering reports
- Review plumbing repair history when relevant
- Determine whether symptoms are stable or progressing
You do not need to diagnose the problem yourself.
The purpose is to understand what is new, what is old, and what appears to be changing.
When Should an Older Block Home Be Evaluated?
Consider having the condition evaluated when:
- A stair-step crack is new or widening
- A repaired crack repeatedly reopens
- Several symptoms develop in the same area
- Doors or windows become progressively misaligned
- Floor elevations appear to be changing
- A wall shows meaningful displacement, bowing, or deterioration
- Significant soil loss or erosion is visible
- Interior floors are settling
- Movement is occurring around an addition
- You cannot tell whether the issue involves stucco, masonry, slab, or foundation movement
Rapidly developing structural movement deserves more immediate attention than an old stable cosmetic crack.
Why Experience With Older Florida Block Homes Matters
Helicon has worked with Florida foundations and soils since 2004.
One of the biggest lessons from evaluating older homes is that the visible crack is only one piece of the story.
An older block home may have:
- Historic foundation movement
- Active foundation movement
- Interior slab settlement
- A shallow-soil problem
- A deeper support problem
- Plumbing-related soil loss
- An addition moving independently
- Stucco cracking
- Masonry or lintel deterioration
- Exterior concrete settlement
- Or no condition requiring foundation repair
Helicon works with foundation underpinning, polyurethane soil stabilization, structural void filling, concrete lifting, compaction grouting, and deep foundation systems.
The value of having multiple repair capabilities is not finding a way to sell one of them.
It is being able to distinguish what actually needs support from what does not.
Good foundation repair starts with understanding what is moving and why—not choosing the product first.
Schedule a Foundation Inspection
If your older Florida block home has cracks, uneven floors, sticking doors, old foundation repairs, or other signs of possible movement, start with the evidence.
Ask:
- Is the symptom new or historic?
- Is it changing?
- Does the crack affect only stucco or extend into the masonry?
- Are several symptoms concentrated in the same area?
- Is the interior slab moving independently?
- Is there plumbing, drainage, or soil loss nearby?
- Is an addition behaving differently from the original home?
- Is the problem actually structural foundation movement?
- Does anything need to be repaired at all?
The goal is not to assume the worst. The goal is to determine what the evidence actually supports.
Read more: Foundation Repair
FAQ
Are foundation problems common in older Florida block homes?
They can occur, but age alone does not mean a home has foundation problems. Many older block homes remain stable while showing cosmetic cracks, previous repairs, or other signs of aging.
Why do older block homes get stair-step cracks?
Differential foundation movement can create stair-step cracking through mortar joints, but historic masonry movement and other conditions can produce similar patterns.
Does every stair-step crack mean the foundation is sinking?
No. Progression, displacement, nearby symptoms, elevation patterns, and repair history all matter.
Are stucco cracks normal on older Florida homes?
Some are. Hairline cracks can develop from shrinkage, temperature changes, aging, and normal material movement. Cracks extending into the masonry or repeatedly reopening deserve more attention.
Why is there a crack above my window?
Possible causes include foundation or wall movement, stucco cracking, previous window work, or deterioration of the lintel or other components around the opening.
Can a lintel problem look like a foundation problem?
Yes. Deterioration or corrosion around a masonry opening can create cracking or spalling that may initially resemble foundation movement.
Do sticking doors mean my old block home is settling?
Sometimes, but not always. Hardware, adjustment, humidity, opening deterioration, and structural movement can all affect operation.
Can the interior slab sink while the block walls remain stable?
Yes. The interior slab can lose support independently from the load-bearing perimeter foundation.
Can old plumbing cause floor settlement?
A leak can contribute to soil disturbance or loss beneath a slab in some conditions. Evidence of both the plumbing problem and support loss should be considered.
Why is my addition cracking away from the original home?
The addition may have different foundation construction, fill, compaction, or construction history. Movement at the transition does not automatically mean the original foundation is failing.
Does a sinking driveway mean my old home’s foundation is sinking?
No. Exterior slabs can settle independently because they have different loads and supporting soils.
How can I tell if an old crack is still active?
Monitor it with photographs or measurements and look for related changes such as reopening repairs, sticking openings, or changing elevations.
Is monitoring an acceptable recommendation?
Yes. When there is no meaningful evidence of active movement, monitoring may be more appropriate than immediate repair.
Do older Florida block homes usually need piers?
No. Piers are appropriate when the structure requires deeper direct support or controlled lifting—not simply because the home is old.
Can polyurethane be used beneath an older block home?
It may be appropriate when weak or loose shallow soils are contributing to support loss. Its primary objective is soil stabilization rather than precise foundation lifting.
When are push or helical piers appropriate?
They may be appropriate when the foundation requires direct structural support at greater depth or controlled elevation recovery.
Should an older home always be lifted back to level?
No. Stabilization may be the better objective in some older structures. A successful repair does not necessarily mean returning every area to a perfectly level condition.
Does cracking in an older Florida block home mean there is a sinkhole?
No. Sinkhole-related movement is one possible cause in applicable areas, but shallow settlement, fill, soil washout, plumbing, slab movement, and other conditions can create similar symptoms.
Can a foundation inspection confirm whether my home has a sinkhole?
A foundation evaluation can identify movement patterns that may justify further investigation, but it generally cannot by itself confirm or rule out a sinkhole-related subsurface condition.
What should I do first if I find a crack in an older block home?
Document it, determine whether it is new or changing, and look for related symptoms nearby. If it is progressing, repeatedly reopening, or occurring with other evidence of movement, have the condition evaluated before choosing a repair.
