Mesilla sits in the Mesilla Valley, about 3.4 miles southwest of Las Cruces. The drive is roughly 7 minutes by way of Avenida de Mesilla (NM 28). If your home or building in town is showing signs of foundation movement, this page explains what to look for and how to get started.
Las Cruces Foundation Repair connects callers with licensed and insured local contractors. We are not the contractor. We help you reach local foundation repair professionals who can look at the problem in person.
Why Mesilla homes can see foundation movement
The Mesilla Valley is the floodplain of the Rio Grande. The area has long dry stretches, then heavy monsoon storms in late summer. That swing changes the moisture in the soil around a foundation, and changes in soil moisture are a common cause of movement.
Caliche, a cemented whitish layer, is common in southern New Mexico soils. It can keep water from soaking in. When roof or yard runoff has nowhere to go, it may collect near a wall instead of draining away.
Mesilla is also a historic town. The Mesilla Plaza is a National Historic Landmark, and families from Chihuahua settled the town in the 1840s. Older structures can show their age in many ways, so it helps to have a professional look before assuming the cause.
Signs worth checking
- Diagonal cracks running from the corners of doors and windows
- Doors or windows that stick or no longer latch
- Sloping or uneven floors
- Gaps between walls and floors or ceilings
- Cracks in a slab or stem wall, or a sunken patio or driveway
Not every crack is structural. Thin hairline cracks from concrete shrinkage are common. Cracks that widen, sit offset with one side higher, or run in a stair-step pattern deserve an inspection. Photograph a crack next to a ruler or coin, date the photo, and compare it every few weeks.
What happens next
A contractor will look at cracks, floor levels, doors and windows, and the drainage and grading around the house. The goal is to find the likely cause before recommending a repair. Methods depend on the cause and foundation type, and can include piers, support repairs, lifting sunken concrete, sealing cracks or fixing drainage.
To start, call (575) 249-7768. Ask for a written scope of work, and look up any contractor's license with the New Mexico Construction Industries Division. Structural work may need a permit, and the contractor can explain what applies to your job.