Earthquakes Causing Foundation Cracks
While earthquakes could be causes of foundations cracks in Irving, Dallas or Fort Worth, TX, it’s doubtful. The earthquake that shook this North Texas area on May 3, 2015, did not appear to impact concrete slabs or pier and beam foundations. Because the tremor had a magnitude of only 3.2, foundation movement was minimal. Clay soils are an issue in this region because they’re prone to movement, but HD Foundations has not discovered any substantial foundation problems relating to these quakes as of now.
There has been a great deal of seismic activity in the area in recent years, and there has been much speculation concerning the cause of it. Most activity is centered around the Las Colinas area. According to researchers at SMU, the quakes that have been taking place since 2013 are a result of drilling performed by oil and gas companies. Homeowners in the Fort Worth, Dallas and Irving areas are concerned that this may lead to earthquake foundation cracks. While the various causes of foundation damage do include soil movement, fractures don’t appear to be an issue right now. Aftershocks are somewhat milder, and while they’re frightening, small ones aren’t the source of lots of destruction.
About Cracked Foundations And Earthquakes:
It’s important to keep in mind that most fissures are created as a result of local weather other than tremors, including soaring summer temperatures of over 105 degrees and heavy rainfall in Spring. When it’s very hot, the soil contracts, but when it’s wet it expands. Average rainfall in the area is about 36″ a year, but in 2015 it appears that we may have more moisture than normal. This causes the ground to swell and upheaval could occur in your foundation. As a result, property owners eventually discover splinters and other troubling issues.
So, in response to the question “Have earthquakes caused foundation damage in Irving, DFW?,” the answer is no, not to the knowledge of anyone at HD Foundations. While it’s possible that houses built with concrete slabs or pier and beam foundations could break if larger tremors occur, experts have stated that this region is not likely to experience strong tremors affecting residential or commercial structures.
In the event you do see gaps or other forms of deterioration, it’s best to get foundation crack repair service on your house or other structure. This entails lifting your foundation in order to make it level. At HD Foundations, we do this using concrete and or steel foundation piers. The number you will require depends on what type of foundation you have and is also based upon the amount of foundation damage you have and the extent of cracking. It’s extremely common for area residents to require foundation repair in North Texas. Unlike many areas to the south, we see serious weather, and now earthquakes are a concern, especially where concrete slabs are concerned. At this point, it’s wise to examine your foundation on a a regular basis to make sure you don’t see any bad breaks or signs of damage. In the event you do and want us to stop by, just contact HD Foundations for a free evaluation and repair estimate.
3/26/2022