Warning Signs a Home May Have Foundation Problems

The highly elastic clay soil found throughout most of Texas combined with our extreme seasonal moisture fluctuations creates a unique challenge for area foundations. During rainy, wet weather, the clay soil absorbs water like a sponge, causing it to expand significantly. These shifts under the foundation cause strain on the structure of your home. Most properties show evidence of settling far before significant structural damage occurs.

10 Signs Your Home May Need Foundation Repair

Foundation repairs cost less the sooner you realize the problem. Homeowners who fail to address foundation issues often see a loss in the value of their homes. If you notice any of these warning signs, schedule a professional inspection.

Exterior Brick Cracks

Vertical brick cracks are a sign of uneven settling. One side of the wall is better supported than the other, causing strain and vertical cracks in the exterior brick.

Doors that Won’t Close Properly or Get Stuck

When a door is hung, it’s carefully squared with the doorframe. If one window or door in your home is sticking, it may not be a foundation problem. However, if several of your windows or doors are sticking or seem out of alignment, you may need foundation repair.

A Leaning or Cracking Chimney

Your chimney is likely the heaviest portion of your home, with all that weight concentrated in one location. If the soil under your house is causing the foundation to shift, the bricks can crack, or the chimney can start to lean.

Gaps Around Windows and Doors

Thin cracks or gaps can appear around windows and doors as a sign of foundation instability. You may see them around the frame of the door or where the wall meets the ceiling.

Slab Cracks or Cracks in Concrete

Slab foundations function as both foundation and ground floor. Shifting soil puts pressure on your foundation, and eventually, slab foundation cracks become visible. These shifts are likely to show up as concrete cracks or sunken concrete as well.

Floor Fractures

Floor fractures can arise for different reasons but are often a sign of needed foundation repair.

Sloping Floors

Houses are built to be level, so sloping floors are a visual indicator that the home’s position has shifted.

Sagging Floors

Sagging floors can be a sign of localized foundation problems. Unlike a sloping floor that often indicates a shift, sagging can be a result of damage to the girders, joists, or posts that support that area of the floor.

Mold and Mildew in Crawl Spaces

Mold and mildew in crawl spaces indicate that moisture is seeping in where it shouldn’t be. It can be a sign of shifting soil.

Cabinets that Don’t Hang Properly

When your walls are not level, your cabinets show misalignment. They may become hard to close or keep closed.

Act on Warning Signs Quickly

With expansive clay soil and wet-and-dry extremes, Texas homeowners face foundation challenges, but local engineers have developed unique foundation installations to combat these problems.

Our foundation installation and repair services at Pinnacle Foundation Repair include steel pier piling, mud jacking, concrete press piling, and more, customized to your needs.

If you see any indication that your home may be shifting or settling, call us immediately for a free expert evaluation. We service the entire DFW metroplex.