Homeowners in the Waseca area are saying that their houses seem to be sinking, and they’re blaming the ongoing drought. Some of the homeowners started noticing the problems as early as this spring. Issues include doors and windows that won’t close properly and cracks in the walls and foundation. Those who have had contractors return their structures to level footing have paid upwards of $40,000. Contractors say that soil shrinks as it dries, and areas that don’t have enough moisture-retaining clay to stabilize things can see houses begin to tilt. The problem has hit at least 20 homes in the Waseca area. To make matters worse, insurance rarely covers the repairs, which involve driving steel piers into the ground until they reach load-bearing soil.