Foundation Problems in Texas: Common Causes and Solutions

Did you know that Texas is the number one state for foundation problems? Foundations in Texas are more likely to have a crack or issue than any other state, but why?

It is primarily due to the soil makeup that is found in Texas. While rich black dirt is excellent for growing crops, it’s not great for building on. Furthermore, in other regions, there is expansive clay soil. This soil will expand when it’s introduced to moisture which causes movement under buildings, causing the foundations to crack and heave. Common foundation issues include water damage, doors and windows sticking, leaning chimneys, and cracks in the brick and walls. As the seasons change, so does the weather, meaning that the soil will dry up or expand, causing movement in the foundation. This causes the foundations to move, which foundations aren’t equipped to do.  While foundation movement happens on expanding clay soil, there are some things you can do to help.

 Soil Conditioning

You can condition the soil to a degree to help lessen the expansion and contraction. This will improve the soil’s stability, which in turn will enhance the building’s stability. However, this technique doesn’t guarantee you won’t have problems later. This is an additional cost to the building project and will add time.

 Get a Geotechnical Soil Report

The best way to understand what type of soil you are working with is to get a geotechnical engineer to assist with the project. This will allow us to understand better what kind of soil you have and what might help your situation. Each area is different and has a different soil makeup. Finding out what you have can help us all make better decisions on what to do, whether you’re just building or have a crack in your foundation. In addition, foundation repair companies will often get the soil tested to understand better what would be best for the foundation repair to ensure that the same thing doesn’t happen again.

Soil Drainage Issues Causing Foundation Problems

Soil drainage is a big part of foundation issues as well. You must have your roof and the surrounding area drain properly to prevent erosion. Poor drainage could lead to the soil being washed away under the foundation, causing a collapse. A professional should check out if you have spaces around your home with excessive spill-off from the roof. Furthermore, if you see that the soil has been washed away, be sure to fill that back in and put back the support that the foundation needs.

If your foundation has issues and you believe it is due to poor drainage, you should call Done Right Foundation Repair. We would be happy to perform a foundation inspection and let you know our suggestions.

Leaking Pipes

Leaking pipes can go unnoticed. This can lead to water pooling, similar to the drainage problem. The water can wash away the soil under the foundation, or it can lead to the expansion of the soil and cause heaving. Either way, a moving foundation means that there will be issues. If you have a leaking pipe near the foundation, you will need to call a repairman for the leak. Once the leak is fixed, we will be happy to do a foundation inspection for you. Our team of experts understands what to look for in this case to ensure that your foundation isn’t affected by the leaking pipe.

Large Tree Roots Causing Foundation Issues

Trees cast shade on our homes and keep that hot Texas sun out. However, they can be brutal to your driveway, sidewalks, water pipes, and, yes, your foundation. Tree roots of certain types creep under the house and damage the foundation bricks or the slab of concrete the house is sitting on. Because of this, you must choose trees that don’t have an invasive root issue when choosing trees.

However, if you currently have this issue, you need to call on a foundation repair company such as Done Right Foundation Repair. A foundation repair service can tell you if it’s safe to remove the tree root or what your best option is.

There are many foundation repair companies on the market today. However, when it comes to finding the best, look only as far as Done Right Foundation Repair. We take pride in our work and offer our clients honest and upfront pricing. So call today if you are facing a foundation issue.