Drought causing cracks in basement walls

ST. LOUIS -- Many homeowners are seeing the impact of the drought with cracked walls in the basement, forcing thousands of dollars in repair bills that insurance generally doesn't cover. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that basement repair companies are overwhelmed with calls from customers about cracking and shifting foundations. The drought has drained moisture from the soil for several feet underground. Drying clay shrinks, which undermines support beneath basements. Firms say the average repair cost is running in the $3,000 to $5,000 range, but some have exceeded $30,000 -- costs that homeowner insurance policies seldom cover.