How Well Did Your Foundation Handle the Record-Breaking Texas Summer Heat?

In July, Texas experienced some of the highest temperatures it has in nearly a decade. With daytime highs reaching over 110° multiple days in a row, how well did foundations handle the record-breaking Texas heat this summer? Without an inspection, it’s tough to know.

Many home and business owners are unaware that heat can damage the foundation of a structure. Yet, this year alone, the early heatwave in Texas has caused foundations to sink as low as two inches in 30 days.

Undoing the structural issues caused by damaged foundations is never cheap. If a home or business sits on a compromised foundation, restorations will be more costly the longer it is left unrepaired.

Why the Summer Heat Damages Foundations

While temperatures in Texas during the summer often reach 100°F or more, even temperatures in the 90s are harsh on foundations and their concrete. The dry summer weather seeps moisture from the ground around homes and businesses, causing cracks and other foundation damage.

Foundations repair experts agree that proactive measures are necessary to assess potential damage. They recommend getting a foundation inspection after any bouts of severe weather.

Dry, hot temperatures for several days are a recipe for foundation disaster. If left untreated, owners find themselves with lasting foundation issues compromising the structural integrity of the building if they do not address the situation. Here’s why:

1. Causes Shrinking Soil 

When summers are too dry and hot, especially in places like Texas where the daily temperatures in the summer can easily reach over 100°F. This severe weather dehydrates the soil.

Since the soil surrounding a foundation is typically damp, it shrinks when it is dehydrated. That causes it to move around and not support the foundation. The lack of support forces the foundation to settle.

2. Makes Foundation Sink 

When a foundation settles, it’s usually because of hot weather and the dryness it causes. Foundations will shift and settle until they find support again. How much the dry soil moves away from the foundation will determine how far the foundation will move overall. As the foundation sinks, it can begin to tilt.

3. Concrete Begins to Crumble

Without moisture (in the air and the soil), foundations and concrete slabs crack and crumble. Signs that a foundation is cracking are more obvious than signs that it is crumbling. It isn’t something a layperson will catch with their untrained eye. A foundation repair specialist can assess whether the severe Texas summer heat caused a structure’s foundation to crumble.

Ways to Check for Foundation Damage for Texas Homes and Businesses

Texas summers are brutal on foundations, and that causes damage that home and business owners cannot ignore.

Knowing whether the foundation has deteriorated requires assessment. Reach out to a professional and ask for a foundation evaluation. Pinnacle Foundation Repair offers Texas residents and business owners free inspections.

Let us check if the record-breaking summer heat wreaked havoc on your foundation. We’ll let you know the extent of the damage (if any) and what we can do to ensure the foundation’s longevity.